TNAG-1872-FCO40-2660-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1989 — Page 83

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Daya Bay

6.

The Governor

said that while people were understandably nervous, we should try to avoid increasing this concern, e.g. by statements about a new nuclear plant at Daya Bay. The Ministry of Energy had now told our Embassy that there was no such plan. An official statement to this effect would be very helpful: otherwise critics of Chinese policy towards Hong Kong would have a further opportunity. Mr. Xu said he was aware of this issue. would suggest to the State Council that a spokesman clarify the position. He would recommend that extension of the plant at Daya Bay should not be considered. Allen Lee had met him yesterday and raised the same issue with him.

Vietnamese Boat People

7.

If

He

The Governor said another problem was the continuing flow of people from Vietnam. Mr. Xu said people were always looking for a better place. The Governor said numbers this year were higher than last. this trend continued there would be problems. We hoped the Geneva Conference would help in the search for genuine solutions.

Those who came here illegally must logically go home, but Western opinion was sensitive about this. We must persuade the Vietnamese and the West, especially the US. This must be a problem for Guangdong and Guangsi also? Mr. Xu said the VBP were leaving for political and economic reasons: it was a very difficult problem to solve right away. The British and Chinese Governments had done a lot. The problem was that the more you accepted, the more who came: more must be persuaded to go back. The Governor said HKG's aim was to send them back. He hoped the Chinese would send a delegation to Geneva. Mr. Qiao said no Chinese delegation had attended this week's sub-group meeting in Hong Kong because of insufficient time, but they hoped Hong Kong Hong Kong would show NCNA a record of the meeting. He would pass on the Governor's message to Peking. The Governor said that this was a practical problem with no easy solution. Most people disliked our policy, but had no real alternative. It was a very difficult situation in political terms.

ECVIIS

8.

The Governor noted that we had now agreed on the repatriation of a further group of ECVIIs. It was important to finalise the practical details as quickly as possible. Mr. Qiao said he was at present in communication with the authorities on this point.

G.F. 82

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