CONFIDENTIAL
(c) Hong Kong's problems must be seen in the context of its small
area and very high population density, and against the background of immigration from China. An estimated 280,000 immigra s have been absorbed in the last 2 years and they are still comg at a rate of 300 a day. These latest immigrants, unlike earlier waves in the 1950s and 1962, have little to offer as they come from a background of poor educational standards and eroded respect for social discipline during the Cultural Revolution. In the past 2 years, the social and economic problems have to some extent been masked by the coincidence of a period of low unemploy- ment in Hong Kong. This may not last for long. An economic downturn could generate social tension: refugees from Vietnam, if they remain in significant numbers, could well be a target for discontent.
(d) It is a sad commentary on international behaviour that those
countries of first asylum who eventually barred entry to boat people and took deliberate decisions to force them back to sea, should have benefited most from resettlement offers from the rest of the world; while Hong Kong, which in the spirit of humanity has admitted all boat people who have made their way unaided to safety in its overcrowded territory, is accorded low priority.
(e) We have in mind the interests of the refugees as much as Hong
Kong's. The fact that refugees are allowed to live relatively freely in the community and to take up employment pending their resettlement is good for the morale of refugees and equips them better for resettlement. But it also means that the problems caused by a slow rate of resettlement may be greatly exacerbated, especially if the inflow is resumed. There are signs that this could happen. Without rapid relief of the existing refugee problem this could be disastrous for Hong Kong and the refugees.
3.
If asked what the UK is doing, you should say that we took nearly 5,000 Vietnamese last year, 80% of them from Hong Kong, and at the beginning of this year were committed to take another 8,000. We are lifting these people from Hong Kong as quickly as we can. In counter- ing arguments about the needs of countries sheltering land refugees, you could say that we nevertheless think it fair that, however countries divide their programmes between land and boat cases, they should allocate places for boat refugees in numbers which bear some relation to the burden in places of first asylum. Apart from the special case of the UK, only Canada and the FRG have run major pro- grammes commensurate with the burden borne by Hong Kong.
4. For Bonn: You could express gratitude for the fair allocations which they have made up to now, emphasising the importance of this continuing.
5.
For Stockholm and Oslo: If you think it appropriate, please emphasise that we are very disappointed that they took such a small percentage of refugees from Hong Kong and that we hope they can take
2
CONFIDENTIAL
/more