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VISIT OF LORD GLENARTHUR TO HONG KONG: 29 JUNE 1 JULY 1988
BRIEF NO 19: PRESS CONFERENCE
OPENING STATEMENT
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1.
This is my third visit to Hong Kong since I took office in June of last year as Minister with special responsibility for Hong Kong. Once again the Hong Kong Government have organised a full and varied programme for me and I am immensely grateful to the Governor and his officials for their hospitality.
2.
As always, my visit to Hong Kong has been a stimulating and informative experience. I have seen a great deal and have had an opportunity to meet a wide range of people.
3. As you know, the Foreign Secretary was here exactly a month ago: and he met the press on that occasion. My own visit has been an opportunity to pursue discussions held on that occasion and to
review new developments.
4.
The most important of these of course relates to Vietnamese boat people. The British Government gave very ample and sympathetic consideration to the recommendations made to Sir Geoffrey Howe, and the new policy has now been in effect for over two years. I have visited two refugee camps and have had an opportunity to see for myself the operation of the new screening procedures which were introduced on 16 June. I have been most impressed by the efficiency with which these procedures are being operated and more generally by the magnificent way in which the authorities have risen to the challenge of coping with the recent influx of boat people. been working very energetically on the diplomatic front to bring international pressure to bear on the Vietnamese Government and to pursue durable solutions to this difficult problem.
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