M(89)31
A447
OTHER BUSINESS
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
COMMENTARY
The
Secretary
for
476
J
Security
briefed
Members on the weekend disorder at Tai A Chau.
made
-
In discussion the following points were
(a) The designation of Hong Kong as a First
a Hong Kong
Port of Asylum was
Government policy; there was
question
of
no
HMG having imposed the
policy on the territory.
(b)
The British Forces already provided
some indirect support to the Police in
running the Boat People camps; more
direct involvement could create its own
set of problems.
(c)
Tai A Chau would continue to be used as
a holding centre for the Boat People
until at least November 1989. If the
rate of arrivals picked up during 1990
71