TNAG-0792-FCO40-996-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 24

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CONFIDENTIAL

Vietnamese Refugees in Hong Kong

During the general debate, the UK delegation should draw atten- tion to the special problem faced by Hong Kong with regard to the significant numbers of "boat refugees" in the Colony who are in urgent need of resettlement. They should express appreciation of UNHCR's work there and point to Hong Kong's excellent record in accepting refugees from ships (whose first port of call following rescue operations was Hong Kong) and also in not turning away those "boat refugees" arriving in their own craft. In return, Hong Kong hoped third countries would be no less generous with Hong Kong than with other countries when accepting refugees for resettlement.

The delegation may also draw, as appropriate, on the following paragraphs:

Since the fall of Saigon early in 1975, Hong Kong has provided temporary or permanent homes for a large number of Vietnamese refugees and illegal immigrants. In May 1975 about 4,000 refugees arrived by sea. The Hong Kong 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 to the Colony of some 5,000 former residents of Vietnam who had formerly been residents of Hong Kong or who were relatives of such resi- dents. In addition, some 5,000 Vietnamese refugees were estimated to have made their way to Hong Kong illegally during the first year or so of the ending of the war in Vietnam. The continuing influx of refugees and illegal immigrants has placed a very 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.

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 government does not seek guarantees from countries whose ships offload refugees in Hong Kong. This liberal policy, however, has led to a substantial increase in the numbers of refugees now in Hong Kong. At present there are over 3,600 awaiting resettlement. While a number of countries, notably the USA, have been accepting refugees, this has not been at a rate fast enough to keep apace with the influx. And this is despite the setting-up by the United States authorities of overspill facilities in Macau. Unless an early solution can be found to alleviate this problem there remains the possibility that the Hong Kong government will be forced to adopt a more restrictive stance.

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CONFIDENTIAL