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14.
The closed centre policy was not successful?
The closed centre policy was introduced in 1982 at a time when
the level of new arrivals was rapidly becoming intolerable. We
believe that, over the years, the closed centres have had a
deterrent effect by discouraging Vietnamese from setting out on the
dangerous voyage to Hong Kong.
The recent influx was caused by a number of factors, including
tougher policies by other countries in the region, rumours of a change of policy in Hong Kong, and difficult economic conditions in
Vietnam. Without the deterrent effect of closed camps, the influx
might have been even greater.
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