XN000022-1994-09-22 — Page 2

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1994

30TH JLG MEETING JOINT COMMUNIQUE

THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS 30TH MEETING IN PEKING FROM SEPTEMBER 20 TO 22, 1994.

THE GROUP HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG'S INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS; HONG KONG'S AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS; THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG AND PUBLIC ORDER; FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS EXTENDING BEYOND 1997 AND RELATED MATTERS; HONG KONG'S SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME; INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES; SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES; MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CERTAIN COUNTRIES; THE RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES; LOCALISATION OF LAWS; ADAPTATION OF LAWS; THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL; THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997; VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS; CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS; AND RETIREMENT PROTECTION AND SOCIAL WELFARE.

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE IN LONDON AT A TIME TO BE AGREED BY THE TWO SIDES.

33 VIETNAMESE DEPART ON 1ST ORDERLY REPATRIATION FLIGHT

A GROUP OF 33 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS LEFT FOR VIETNAM TODAY (THURSDAY) UNDER THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME ON THE FIRST OF TWO FLIGHTS THIS WEEK.

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THERE WERE 11 MEN, 11 WOMEN, FOUR BOYS AND SEVEN GIRLS. OLDEST IS 44 AND THE YOUNGEST TWO YEARS OF AGE. THE GROUP HAD BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR FIVE TO SIX YEARS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THREE CHILDREN WHO WERE BORN IN HONG KONG.

THE GROUP INCLUDED SIX OF THE 11 PEOPLE WHO REMAINED ON THE ROOF OF A DORMITORY AT HIGH ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE DURING THE TWO-DAY OPERATION TO TRANSFER THE REMAINING RETURNEES THERE TO VICTORIA PRISON IN PREPARATION FOR THE DEPARTURE FLIGHTS.

THEY WERE FOUR WOMEN AND THE TWO MEN WHO SLASHED THEMSELVES ON THE ROOFTOP. THE MEN WERE TRANSFERRED FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHERE THEY WERE TREATED FOR THEIR WOUNDS, AND AFTER BEING CERTIFIED BY DOCTORS AS BEING FIT FOR TRAVEL.

THE RETURNEES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE AIRPORT FOR PRE-DEPARTURE SECURITY CHECKS, WHICH WERE CONDUCTED SMOOTHLY AND COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, BEFORE BOARDING THEIR FLIGHT FOR HANOI.

ABOUT 60 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF AND. 60 POLICE OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED IN TODAY'S OPERATION.

/THE RETURNEES