TNAG-0897-FCO40-1107-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 113

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CONFIDENTIAL

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

1.

During the general debate, the UK delegation should draw

attention to the special problems faced by Hong Kong with regard

to the considerable numbers of "boat refugees" in the Territory

who are

still waiting permanent resettlement elsewhere. They

should express appreciation of UNHCR's work there and point to

Hong Kong's excellent record in providing temporary shelter to

those refugees arriving in their own craft and those picked up

at sea by vessels for whom Hong Kong is the next port of call

(although because of the crowded conditions in the Territory

the Hong Kong Government have now had to ask in the latter

cases for guarantees of rapid resettlement in the country of

the vessel's registration). In return, Hong Kong are hoping

that third countries will be no less generous with Hong Kong

than with other countries when accepting refugees for

resettlement, though so far the response has been disappointing.

The delegation may also draw, as

following paragraphs:

2.

appropriate, on the

Since the fall of Saigon early in 1975, 11,000 former

residents of Vietnam (plus a further 2,500 Laotians and

Cambodians) have been accepted for permanent settlement in

Hong Kong. The continued influx of refugees since 1975 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 a

population which has increased from half a million to nearly

five million in 35 years.

3.

into Hong Kong reached

than 1,000 were arriving

The influx of refugees from Vietnam

a peak in June of this year when more

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CONFIDENTIAL