SECUCT
Page No. 7 of 9 pages
generally realised and people have got over their apprehension, it is probable
that numbers will once again rise significantly.
23.
There are signs that the Chinese are attempting to increase the
effectiveness of their forces on the border. A Border Defence People's
Police unit (an off shoot of the Border Defence Inspection Service) and a
Municipal Militia Regiment are reported to have been formed. There has been
a secret report to the effect that responsibility for operations to combat
illegal emigration has been transferred from the civil to the military
authorities.
24.
An added deterrent for escape organisers will be the action of the
Hong Kong Government in removing a Chinese by the name of Zhen Geng, following
a Chinese request. The Chinese authorities alleged that this man had been
a major organise of escapes in China. He entered Hong Kong illegally himself,
avoided detection and surfaced, registering under a false name. Following the
Chinese request, he was located and Police investigations disclosed that he had
in fact been involved in organising escapes. This was adequate justification for
declaring him to be an undesirable immigrant under the Immigration Ordinance
and he was removed. The offence was not one of those covered by the Chinese
Extradition Ordinance : had it been, the Chinese would have been obliged to seek
extradition through the Hong Kong courts, a course they have hitherto always
declined to take. This was the first occasion on which anyone has been
removed to China on these grounds; the Chinese have been reminded that these
powers can be used only if the statutory requirements can be met.
From Vietnam
25.
99 persons arrived in 4 boats. All claimed to have come from Central
Vietnam (Da Nang and Hue) after escaping clandestinely. There is no reason
to doubt their stories. For the first time for some months, there were a few
ethnic Chinese among them.
SECRET
/ para 26
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