TNAG-1916-FCO40-2720-Accommodation-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 4

M(89)31

A447

OTHER BUSINESS

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

COMMENTARY

The

Secretary

for

476

J

Security

briefed

Members on the weekend disorder at Tai A Chau.

made

-

In discussion the following points were

(a) The designation of Hong Kong as a First

a Hong Kong

Port of Asylum was

Government policy; there was

question

of

no

HMG having imposed the

policy on the territory.

(b)

The British Forces already provided

some indirect support to the Police in

running the Boat People camps; more

direct involvement could create its own

set of problems.

(c)

Tai A Chau would continue to be used as

a holding centre for the Boat People

until at least November 1989. If the

rate of arrivals picked up during 1990

71