CONFIDENTIAL
cooperation in any plans or operations directed at expelling
refugees from Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Not so sering to s/sat
(220).
One of the tasks of the
Hong Kong Squadron is to provide naval support for the Royal
Marine Police in maintaining law and order, and
it is in
pursuance of this task that the Squadron is involved in anti-
illegal immigration operations. The Royal Marine Police has no
legal jurisdiction beyond the Square Boundary (see attached map).
which represents the limit of Hong Kong territorial waters.
Since ly79, retugees have been arriving in Hong Kong by boat
From Vietnam. The number now in Hong Kong is over 13,000, and
rising, owing to a seasonal influx and the reduction in resettle-
ment plans worldwide. From July, all new arrivals have been
placed in closed camps to await resettlement, in the hope that
this will deter those, thought now to be the majority, who leave
Vietnam for economic reasons rather than because of political
persecution.
In 1979, HMG agreed to take 10,000 Vietnamese
refugees from Hong Kong. In the event, this number has been
increased by those covered by a previous quota and those rescued
at sea by UK-registered ships. FMG continues to take family
reunion and ship-rescue cases.
5. It is against this background that the Secretary of Security
in Hong Kong has initiated a review of the HKG's contingency plans
for towing vessels with illegal immigrants, including refugees,
from within the Square Boundary out to the high seas. In commenting
on the contingency plan the Secretary of Security has underlined
CONFIDENTIAL
#