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XCRI(78) 20
There are a number of economic and political reasons for the recent upsurge in arrivals. They include the closure of private businesses in South Vietnam, deteriorating Sino-Vietnam relations, currency reforms in Vietnam and the confrontation between Kampuchea and Vietnam. Overseas Chinese and Vietnamese of Chinese origin tend to aim for Hong Kong rather than for Malaysia or the Philippines.
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Responsibility for finding accommodation and for the
initial processing of resettlement applications was recently transferred from the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM), who had acted informally as agents for UNHCR in Hong Kong, to the UNHCR's Deputy Regional Representative, who has been provided with a temporary office in Immigration Department headquarters. ICEM is now concerned only with the onward transportation of refugees. So far the UNHCR representative has been able to cope with the increasing number of refugees and he is expanding his organisation to keep pace with demands.
Resettlement Prospects
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Changes in US refugee legislation and the end of their 1977/78 refugee programme have slowed down the departure of refugees to the USA. This is expected to pick up again in September after funds are voted by Congress for the new US programme which provides for 25, 000 refugees from Indochina to be accepted by 30th April 1979 of whom 12, 500 will be boat refugees. Hong Kong's share of this 12, 500 is not yet known.
Macau
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The Macau authorities have agreed with UNHCR to allow initially about 400 refugees now in Hong Kong to be accommodated temporarily in Macau whilst American resettlement procedures are being completed. This will relieve pressure on hotel space here which, although not yet critical, is becoming severe. Furthermore, following recent representations by the Immigration Department, boat refugees who arrive in Macau are now being landed there rather than be allowed to proceed to Hong Kong.
Monitoring Procedure
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A Working Group consisting of representatives of Secretary for Security, Political Adviser, Director of Immigration and Director of Medical and Health Services is meeting weekly and is maintaining close watch over the situation. It is also closely in touch with the UNHCR local representative.
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