3.
have spent up to US$30 million by the end of the year.
Hong Kong is an over-populated but intense and dynamic
society. But by hard work, social adaptability, and realism
based on acceptance of the fact that resources are limited,
the people of Hong Kong have made for themselves a structure
of life enormously better than 10 years ago. It is the
benefits of this structure they fear may be eroded by this
influx of boat refugees over which they have no control.
Mr Secretary General [Mr Chairman], the problem of the
refugees must be seen in terms of separate but inter-
connected obligations: those of the places of first asylum;
those of the countries of resettlement and those of the
countries of origin.
Hong Kong is a place of first asylum. I can claim with
pride that we have carried out our obligations to the full.
We have also done what we could to house and to feed those
for whom the THC has been unable to take responsibility.
As for countries of resettlement I would like to thank
those w. have taken refugees from Hong Kong. I would
particularly like to mention the United States which has
taken a magnificent lead in announcing that its overall
resettlement programme for the region is to be doubled. I
am much encouraged too by the great contribution which,
/Canada