2.
SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN
Redacted Junder FOI exemption |27(1)
The Chairman then turned to Mr Paul of the Hong Kong Department, FCO and invited him to set the scene by providing the political background. Mr Paul began by noting that the Basic Law had now been promulgated and that it was therefore not a current issue. He commented that there had been some improvement in the Vietnamese Boat People (VBP) situation and that the Hong Kong people could the nationality bills making way. There was a calmer air but that did not mean that the underlying problems had gone away. He stated that the visit of Mr Maud between 4 to 28 Jul 90 would be very important in establishing a relationship with China. The UK would be attempting to persuade the Chinese to be more positive and helpful towards the redevelopment plans for Hong Kong to realize that the nationality package was not directed against them. There was therefore a hope for an end to the particularly poor period of relations and while there were some straws in the wind' this was characterised more by the absence of negative indications rather than positive initiatives. In summary, the present period was one of relative calm with some prospect of progress in relationships with China.
3.
CBF followed with the current Hong Kong perspective. He did not dissent from anything Mr Paul had ́said but highlighted the recent Anniversary marches during which more people than expected had turned out. Tension had been lowered in the VBP detention centres following the removal of 'hot heads' from the camps but further problems could occur as the number of volunteers for repatriation under the UNHCR scheme ran out. He observed that now that there was a small decrease in the number of VBP, Ministers would not agree to the involvement of troops in running the detention centres. He added that when the new reception facility on Tai A Chau had been completed in Oct 90 he would be pressing for the return of the airstrip at Sek Kong.
There had been increases in the number of illegal immigrants and CBF highlighted the worrying incursions at sca in May 90 the prime cause of which was smuggling. The corrupt nature of many of the border officials and the bounty system for intercepting contraband coupled with the limited sea room in Hong Kong led to incursions by Chinese patrol craft into Hong Kong waters. CBF noted that the RN patrol craft issue had still not been finally resolved.
The police manning levels were some 500 below target but CBF observed that they were still intent on taking over the border in 1991 on time.
5.
Defence lands were to be discussed at the next meeting of the Joint Liaison Group;
6.
CBF
Kong
2
UK EYES A
SECRET
Hong