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SECRET 高度機密
LIC HONG KONG
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ASSESSMENT MAY 1979
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Copy No. of 24 copies Page 1 of 2 pages
Between the beginning of the year and the end of May over 38,000 Vietnamese refugees had arrived in Hong Kong, but less than 4,000 have been resettled overseas, The big influx began in early April, since when over 22,000 have arrived from north of the 14th parallel in small boats, both sailing and motorised. Most of them have coast-hopped along South China, with the acquiescence and active assistance of the Chinese authorities and many were re-directed to Hong Kong by the Macau police. Some who had previously crossed into China by land joined the boats en route to Hong Kong.
2.
During the period under review, apart from the many small boat arrivals, the M. V. Seng Cheong (Sen On) reached Hong Kong with 1433 refugees on board and the M. V. Sibonga with 1003 survivors picked up from sinking craft. The Seng Cheong was known to be organised by a Hong Kong (and Macau) based syndicate, and was on the suspect vessel list, having left Macau in suspicious circumstances on 18 March, The circumstances leading up to the rescue (which was genuine) by the Sibonga are as yet unclear but there is the possibility that the two junks from which the passengers were rescued had deliberately "shipwrecked" themselves; they had earlier sighted a Russian vessel, but withdrew their call for help and sailed on, fearing a tow back to Vietnam. The two junks had been specially fitted out for refugees.
3.
There is continuing evidence that at least five or six other syndicates in Hong Kong are planning to use large vessels to transport refugees to either Hong Kong or Guam and at least two such ships are believed to be off Vung Tau at present (Minh Hai No, 1 and Minh Hai No. 2), with the possibility of another two (or even four) more in the vicinity: South Star and Tonan Maru (and God Pioneer No. 1 and United Fellow). Other large vessels planned for this trade are detained in Singapore. More syndicates are still at the early planning stage, or are arranging vessels. In addition to the vessel syndicates, there are about 10 money syndicates in Hong Kong, which act as "bankers" to transfer money into, and out of, Vietnam for "escape expenses".
4.
The countries of South-east Asia are trying to close their shores to refugees from Vietnam, approximately 85% of whom are ethnic Chinese and therefore additionally unwelcome. Unless the refugee boats try to go direct to Australia or Guam, the majority are likely to head for Hong Kong, which they know from overseas radio broadcasts has a Government which does not turn them away and has the "best refugee camps in the region".
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