A, I
CONFIDENTIAL
7. About 120 refugees were picked up last week by the British
ship Ruddbank (Bank Line) which was bound for Shanghai.
Two sick children were dropped off at Hong Kong for medical
treatment and the ship took on food, water and medical supplies
there. The shipowners did not request permission to land the
remainder of the refugees at Hong Kong. The ship then
proceeded to their next scheduled port of call, Shanghai.
The Chinese authorities have indicated willingness to accept
the principle of first asylum by agreeing to allow the refugees
ashore. The refugees, who are ethnic Vietnamese and mostly
Vietnamese military or their dependents, have so far been
reluctant to leave the ship.
8. A copy of Mr Harris' (DOT) Letter of 17 July to Mr Cartledge,
referred to in Mr Sykes' letter of 10 August, is at I.
16 August 1979
A J Ramsay
CC:
SEAD
HK&GD
UND
Maritime, Aviation and Environment Dept
CONFIDENTIAL
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