CONFIDENTIAL
(paragraph 5.8). The Government have continued to press the Chinese
authorities to step up their efforts to prevent asylum seekes
transitting China en route to Hong Kong both overland and along the
South China coast. The latest evidence suggests that 90% of new
arrivals now make most of the journey overland. Information on the
routes used is being passed to the Chinese authorities on a regular
basis.
37. The Government recognise that the Vietnamese boat people problem has for many years imposed a heavy social and financial
burden on Hong Kong. Since the beginning of 1989 the Government
have pledged or contributed nearly £37 million towards the boat
people problem, either in support of UNHCR operations in Hong Kong
or direct to the Hong Kong Government for emergency accommodation.
CATAAU (16)
CONFIDENTIAL