TNAG-0587-FCO40-720-Aid-from-UK-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 4

RESTRICTED

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

In sy last year 19

off King Kongen bond the Blimey bres

MV "Avo

طالع

Mer-

Прим

fit the case of

1.

in 1975

Since the fall of Saigon early last year, Hong Kong hes

ify of permanent homes

Temporary provided refuge for a large number of Vietnamoso refugees and illegal immigrants. In May 1975, in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Saigon, about 4,000 refugees arrived in Hong Kong by 000. The Hong Kong Govornment, with some help from the UNHCR, arranged for the resettlement of a very large number in the United States, France and Canada, and smaller numbers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and the UK (about 35-50 eventually arrived in this country). About 30 of thin original intake of refugees still remained in Hong Kong one year later.

In addition, the llong Kong authorities have had to absorb some 5,000 Vietnamese who entered the territory illegally in 1975-76. Vietnamese refugees have continued to arrive in llong Kong in reacht months, ranny by boat. The Hong Kong authorities, with HIG'o support, were initially reluctant to allow these refugees to land for fear that other potential Vietnamese refugeen would be encouraged to make for Hong Kong. In July tha UINICR appealed

But in the event, In the event, the to governments to help solve this problem, LINICffice the UNICR's office agreed to assume full responsibility for the agreed to fissume

care of the refugees if they were landed temporarily in Hong Kong, Killrepleasibility

Given thig end to seek permanent homes for them elsewhere. assurance and indications from certain governments that they might be prepared to accept refugees for permanent settlement and, of course, taking into account the humanitarian aspects, the Hong Kong authorities decided to grant transit rights to the

so//This continuing influx of réfugees end have continued to do so refugees and illegal immigrants has placed a heavy strain on Hong Kong's services and led to some resentment on the part of the permanent population. It is clear that there is in Thailand and in Vietnam itself a largo number of potential refugens to Hong Kong, primarily of Vietnamese nationality but including a small group of Hong Kong citizens resident or formerly resident

refugees if they ropensity in Hany Kanyland to MX permanent homes for men

elsewhere

2.

Take in

A-3

RESTRICTED

Vatnam.

17

C

?