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8,470 arrived in Hong Kong; in 1982, 7,836. In 1983, the figure had dropped
to 3,651; to 2,230 in 1984, and down to 1,112 in 1985. Others dispute that
claim, pointing out that Hong Kong is not alone in the region in witnessing
the decline: all first asylum countries have experienced fewer boat arrivals
during the same period.
For
In 1985, a new development occurred involving Hong Kong arrivals,
years, all boats arriving in the vicinity normally stopped in Hong Kong. In
1985, that pattern changed. Several instances have been noted of boats
initially stopping, but then continuing on to unknown destinations.
What accounts for this change? Did the harbor police, under instructions
or not, harass or act to scare away the refugees? Does "the grapevine" serve
to intimidate refugees considering a haven in Hong Kong? Were other factors
to blame? An explanation for this phenomenon is not presently available;
suffice it to say that a new--unsettling--pattern of refugee movement appeared
in 1985 with refugee boats bypassing Hong Kong.
it
It must also be said that an atmosphere of unreceptiveness toward the boat
refugees appears to remain strong in Hong Kong. A paragraph from a recent
editorial in a major Hong Kong newspaper, the China Morning Post, speaks for
that attitude. Speaking of commercial ships that choose to avoid refugee
boats rather than deal with the possibility of being asked for assistance,
said, "The wide berth that most ship's captains now give to refugee boats is
indicative of the increasing indifference of the seafaring community.
cannot condemn them for callousness, even though human lives are at stake, for
shipping firms are wrestling with far bigger problems over their own survival,
than worrying about the fate of a boatload of unwanted refugees."
We
It is in this precarious environment that Hong Kong's boat refugees remain.
The possibility of pushbacks out to sea cannot be brushed aside lightly when
an atmosphere exists in which such an editorial can appear. In fact, some
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