TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 293

CONFIDENTIAL

whether there was a case for returning those who did not qualify as refugees under the terms of the UN Convention. If they did

not, we could then ask the UNHCR to state formally that all boat

people should be regarded as refugees because of the risk of

persecution if they returned, and to urge resettlement

countries, especially the US, to stop distinguishing between

refugees and "economic migrants".

9.

The problem of Vietnamese refugees remains a very real

one in Hong Kong. Although arrivals so far in 1983 have been at

a lower level than in 1982, so too have resettlements. It is

important for relations between HMG and Hong Kong that we are

seen to make every effort to assist them with the problem.

Governor of Hong Kong has been consulted and agrees.

The

[Date]

R D Clift

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENTIAL