a large number of open centre refugees would be able to afford accommodation outside the centre or be able to obtain a suitable sponsor who was willing to support them financially.
(d) they should not meet the resettlement criteria of other resettlement countries. Many resettlement
countries
accept ethnic-Chinese long stayers who, in addition, satisfy other criteria. It is important that Hong Kong does not offer resettlement to a refugee who would otherwise be accepted by another country. The offer of
of resettlement would be made to those who would not be considered by other countries and
and would be likely to be left in Hong Kong anyway.
At some stage Hong Kong would have to consider them for resettlement and there is some advantage in taking a limited number in a slow, carefully controlled manner now. If resettlement is limited in this way, the risk of it attracting more refugees to leave Vietnam would be small.
If Members agree, the UNHCR will
will be asked to seek volunteers from among those refugees who meet these criteria. Each volunteer would have to have expressed
have to have expressed a willingness to be resettled in Hong Kong. Immigration Department staff would then interview and select those who best meet the criteria, giving priority to those who have been in Hong Kong longest.
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After they had been accepted for resettlement in Hong Kong, the refugees would change their status. Their refugee ID card would be withdrawn, they would have to apply for a Hong Kong ID card and, after 7 years, they would become Chinese residents under the Immigration Ordinance with right to land in Hong Kong. During the first seven years they would be able to travel on a document of identity. Thereafter they would be eligible for a certificate of identity.
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These proposals, if accepted, will not tend to stimulate more arrivals from Vietnam. Only open centre refugees who have been here for many years will be eligible and since no financial assistance will be provided for them, they will have to demonstrate financial independence. New arrivals are placed in closed centres which deny them access to jobs and, therefore, to sufficient funds to qualify for this offer.