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MIPT: MR LENNOX-BOYD'S MEETING WITH THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES: EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
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Following is the text of the speaking note used by Mr. Lennox-Boyd:
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BEGINS On 16 July, Mr Goodlad raised with you the question of Ex-China Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants arriving in Hong Kong. explained that if the recent surge of arrivals continued, this would create serious problems. He asked the Chinese Government to agree urgently to accept back those Ex-China Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants who had already arrived. He also proposed new arrangements for handling such cases, to allow the rapid return of subsequent new arrivals.
That was nearly three weeks ago. Meanwhile, the surge of arrivals has not merely continued but intensified. Since the present influx started on 25 June, 2,166 Ex-China Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants have reached Hong Kong, with 209 arriving in a single day on 29 July. Some of the most recent arrivals have said that they decided to set off after hearing that those who had gone to Hong Kong were not being sent back.
On 22 July, the Chinese Government announced that Ex-China Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants who had previously been settled in China would be taken back as soon as possible This is a welcome restatement of Chinese policy, as far as
as it goes. But it will not help to solve the immediate problem. There is no sign that it has had any effect on the arrival rate. Indeed, as the worrying statements by new arrivals confirm, the only effective deterrent is for those who reach Hong Kong to be returned forthwith to China.
I therefore urge you to agree without further delay to our proposals. In particular, whatever arrangements we decide upon
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