CONFIDENTIAL
005641
MDLIAN 8833
(A) GRATEFUL FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG'S NEW POLICY SHOWN
IN MEETINGS BETWEEN SECRETARY OF STATE AND QIAN QICHEN: MISS BAILES
AND WANG JIAJI: AND LORD GLENARTHUR AND QIAN QICHEN.
(B) INFORMATION FROM LATEST ARRIVALS SUGGESTS THAT PROBLEMS STILL
PERSIST WITH VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM LOCAL
PEOPLE AND OFFICIALS WHEN CALLING IN AT PLACES ON THE CHINA COAST
EN ROUTE TO HONG KONG. IT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE THAT PROSPECTIVE
EMIGRANTS FROM VIETNAM SHOULD NOT SET OUT IN EXPECTATION OF AN EASY
PASSAGE. ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE REALITY OF THE NEW POLICY IS BROUGHT
HOME TO THEM AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT, I.E. AT FIRST LANDFALL IN CHINA.
(C) HOPE THAT PORT AUTHORITIES ARE BEING ASKED TO TELL THE BOATPEOPLE
THAT THERE IS NO CHANNEL FOR RESETTLEMENT VIA HONG KONG AND THAT
ARRIVALS WILL BE TREATED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND RETURNED TO VIETNAM.
(D) WE REALISE THAT THE CHINESE CANNOT FORCE THE BOATPEOPLE TO
RETURN TO VIETNAM BUT WE SHOULD NEVERTHELESS BE GRATEFUL FOR THE
STRONGEST POSSIBLE ENCOURAGEMENT IN THIS DIRECTION.
(E) WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR INFORMATION FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON
REACTIONS OF BOATPEOPLE TO NEW POLICY.
5. IF YOU AGREE WITH THE LINE, WE PROPOSE TO SPEAK TO NCNA AT
THE SAME TIME AS PEKING APPROACH THE MFA.
WILSON
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MAIN
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.VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HK
LIMITED
HKD
SEAD
SPD
FED
NEWS
PS
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PAGE
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CONFIDENTIAL
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS MR EGGAR
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