TNAG-0792-FCO40-996-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 108

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TWENTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GENEVA 9-17TH OCTOBER

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

Since the fall of Saigon early in 1975 Hong Kong has provided temporary or permanent homes for a large number tione Vietnamese refugees and illegal immigrants.

METRY

Nos CLS

In May

,

The Hong Kong 1175 about 4,000 refugees arrived by sea. Government, with some help from UNHCR, arranged for the resettlement of a very large number in the United States, France, Canada and smaller numbers in Australia, Austria Belgium, Denmark and the UK. The Hong Kong Government have also arranged the return of some 5,000 former residents of Vietnam who had been residents of Hong Kong

In addition son or who were relatives of such residents. 5,000 Vietnamese refugees were estimated to have made the way to Hong Kong illegally during the first year or so o the ending of the war in Vietnam. The continuing influx of refugees and illegal immigrants has placed a heavy strain on Hong Kong's resources since the territory is already overcrowded and is continuing to try to provide a comprehensive range of social services for its population which has increased from half a million to

four and a half million in 30 years.

{

2. This already difficult situation was greatly exacerbated by the appearance of the "boat refugees". The Hong Kong Government has consistently adopted a very liberal attitude towards such refugees, unlike many neighbouring countries. To-date the Hong Kong Governmer does not even require guarantees from countries whose

ships offload refugees in Hong Kong.

:

However, this

liberal policy has led to a substantial increase in the

/numbers

D 107991 400,000 7/76 904 953

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