TNAG-1976-FCO40-2809-Hong-Kong-illegal-immigrants-from-China--originally-Vietname-1989 — Page 19

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period in Chinese ports should be regarded as landed in China and should be kept there until they can go back to Vietnam.

4.

we see it.

Although we doubt whether the message will produce any dramatic forward movement in the Chinese position, it should help to get

to the Chinese the seriousness of the situation as

Lord Glenarthur's lunch on 26 April with the Chinese Ambassador offes a useful opportunity to reinforce the importance of the message. If it becomes apparent that the Chinese are still taking no effective measures to deter coast-hopping, it may also be

necessary for the Secretary of State to call in the Chinese Ambassador at some point to underline his concern.

Liberalisation of Camps

5. Chinese criticism of our current policy has focussed largely on the decision to liberalise the refugee camps, which they see as a

pull factor on boat people leaving Vietnam. This criticism arises

from a a misunderstanding of the of purpose of the liberalisation

policy, which only applies to camps for those with desiganted

refugee status i.e. around 10% of current arrivals. We need to

explain that the purpose of liberalisation, apart from its

humanitarian aspects, is to enhance the prospects of resettlement

for refugees.