TNAG-0891-FCO40-1101-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 1

HKK 243 COUNCIL

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

* 2 JUN 1979

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

Background

TRY

VIETNA MESE REFUGEES

of 80

138

81816.

the augamit.

Avery useful summary of the present position'

Qwikiam

416.

EteadPA

At the end of May 1979, there were over 41,000 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong. During the first five months of the year, the monthly rate of arrivals had risen from about 5, 000 in January to 18, 700 in May. From 24th May to 7th June the daily arrivals have averaged 1,080. Over the same five months the departure rate of refugees for resettlement has been about 650 per month with only one month when over 1,000 left. In May there was a reduction to 500 and unless there is an upturn in departures in future it seems unlikely that more than 500 a month will leave in the next four months.

18.6.