TNAG-0879-FCO40-1089-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 101

on to Hong Kong. These people are unlikely to qualify for settlement in other countries under UNHCR programmes. It is hoped that the Chinese Government will agree that some at least of them should be

returned to China.

5.

The British and Hong Kong Governments, in conjunction with the UNHCR, are trying to persuade other countries to provide permanent homes for an increased number of those who have been given temporary refuge in Hong Kong. The Home Secretary announced last week that the United Kingdom would take, over the next 12 to 15 months, a further 1,500 Vietnamese former boat refugees, including 1,000 from those already in Hong Kong. Other countries, including Canada, West Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand, have also recently agreed to take additional Vietnamese refugees. Efforts to persuade others to do the same are continuing.

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