TNAG-0981-FCO40-1200-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 155

CONFIDENTIAL

and conduct an interview with one of the Vietnamese in question.

As a result, the UNHCR will not oppose the return to China of most of

the people involved (the Hong Kong Government have agreed not to

repatriate a few who appear to have good prospects of early resettle-

ment in other countries), but they clearly remain unhappy about the

policy, and this could cause difficulties in the future.

8. There are persistent, but still unsubstantiated rumours that the

Vietnamese Government will shortly end their moratorium on the

departure of boat refugees. If they do, the consequences for Hong

坫

Kong will be serious.

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL