TNAG-2064-FCO40-2942-Vietnamese-boat-people-and-China-1990 — Page 79

1

Speaking Note for use with NCNA

VIETNAMESE LAND CROSSERS AND COAST HOPPING

1.

2.

During his recent visit to Peking the Governor discussed with Premier Li Peng the question of Vietnamese arriving in Hong Kong. The Governor said that if China were to detain and return to Vietnam those who stopped off on the Chinese coast or who tried to come to Hong Kong overland through China this would be of great assistance to Hong Kong.

Premier Li Peng said that it was not Chinese policy to allow an influx of Vietnamese into Hong Kong. The Chinese Government would provide assistance. He asked us to pass over information on the routes taken by the Vietnamese so that China could take the appropriate

measures.

V

3.

4.

We have prepared a package of information in response to Premier Li's request. It includes maps of the main sea and land routes, statistics on the routes used by arrivals since January 1989, and detailed information on the journeys of those who have arrived in Hong Kong recently both by land and sea.

Of the 33,969.Vietnamese who arrived in 1989 99.8% came to Hong Kong either by stopping off on the south China coast or by crossing the Sino-Vietnamese border and coming overland. The percentage of Vietnamese arriving via the Sino-Vietnamese land border has increased rapidly over the past two months. In December 71% of those arriving came by this route. So far in January (up to 22 January) 94.5% have done so. Recent arrivals have informed us that this is because the land route is cheaper and safer than going by sea. This trend is of great concern to the Hong Kong

Government.