CUNFIDENTIAL
BRIEF FOR HE
TO HONG KONG
CR 3/4821/81 I
LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT 6TH DECEMBER, 1982
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
POINTS TO MAKE
(Paragraph numbers match those in "Essential Facts")
PRESENT VR POPULATION
- of growing concern. 13,000 in Hong Kong and
not decreasing. Hong Kong now has largest number of
VRS awaiting resettlement in region. 3,000 are in
closed camps.
ARRIVALS
2.
In 1982, so far, arrivals only 10% down on 1981.
50% down for region as a whole. Arrivals are seeking
to improve living standards.
Ethnic Vietnamese not
ethnic Chinese. No longer refugees from persecution,
but seeking to improve living standards.
3.
Vietnamese economy and future such that trend
likely to continue. Difficult for Vietnamese Government
to police.
DEPARTURES
4.
Fallen dramatically. In 1982 a steady trend
downwards with resettlement in October one-tenth that
of January
CONFIDENTIAL