Brief for H.E. The Governor
VIETNAMESE
REFUGEES
On 19th June, 1981 there were 16,236 refugees in Hong
Kong awaiting resettlement. This includes 4,926 who arrived
two and a half times more than last year's figure for the same period.
this year
2.
Total
The regional picture is also a matter of concern.
arrivals of boat refugees up to the end of May were 39,662
compared with 26,990 for the same period last year. Regional arrivals in May alone were about 14,000 compared with regional
departures on resettlement of only 6,500.
3.
Arrivals in Hong Kong in April were 1,051 and in May 1,235.
So far in June 1,409 have arrived.
4.
The US and Canada, with approximately 1,500 and 200 per month respectively are now our only continuing and reliable source
of resettlement places. At most all other countries taken together can be expected to average a total of 100 places per month so that our best forecast of departures is in the region of 1,800 refugees per month.
5.
There are only 406 places left of the UK quota. Hong Kong has been given permission to select for 200 of these.
6.
With arrivals matching departures Hong Kong's refugee
population is now static at around 16,000. Some 9,500 of
these have been in Hong Kong for over 18 months.
7.
Some 10,300 of our refugee population are ethnic Chinese and the remainder ethnic Vietnamese; but nearly all new arrivals
this year are Vietnamese.