Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said he was seeking to introduce legislation which would allow authorities to ``interdict and board vessels in international waters which we believe are involved in people smuggling.''

Ruddock said six boats had arrived in Australian waters in the last two weeks, carrying 717 unauthorised arrivals, including 513 Iraqis, 147 Afghanis, and 23 Indonesian crew. This brought to 1,640 the number of alleged illegal immigrants arriving so far in 1999, up sharply from previous years. He said he had departmental advice that boarding vessels in international waters was within the framework of Australia's international obligations and maritime law. Speaking after a nine-day visit to China, Ruddock said he had been pleased by cooperation from Chinese authorities,noting they had recently stopped one boat bound for Australia and had provided intelligence about two possible boat departures.

``I know the Chinese officials to whom I have been speaking are also deeply concerned and Australia appreciates the cooperation of the Chinese government in facilitating the return of these people,'' he said. But he said at least two vessels from China were currently believed to be heading towards Australia with refugees on board.