REFUGEES..3
Ming Twu, a 27-year-old Vietnamese of Chinese descent, had found himself in a situation that illustrates these points. Speaking in
broken English but with a strong American accent, he explained to me
that it was his family jewellery/goldsmith business that had attracted
the disfavour of the authorities.
He said he had been accused of various "crimes" but that he had
denied the charges. No evidence had been presented against him. Eventually he decided to leave and hoped to restart his business in the
US.
Since the date of his leaving Vietnam coincided with the Sino-Vietnam
war I asked him of he had had any preference as to the outcome of that
conflict but he said not.
In Hongkong the prespect of a renewal of hostilities between China and Vietnam is regarded as something which could prompt a further wave of refugees. Although the border hetween the colony and China is now
adequately sealed on both sides so that Chinese from Vietnam would find it very difficult to come to Hongkong via the land route, the sea route
is of course much more difficult to police.
One noticeable feature of the motivations of the refugees is the
effect of rumour. There are occasional panics as stories of enforced
resettlement of Vietnamese in the predominantly black areas of American
cities are circulated.
Likewise, misconceptions about the British weather, the Danish attitude to pornography or the German treatment of Guest workers can lead to a change of preference as to resettlement.
But it is very clear that the "boat people" have, above all else, been affected by the "American ream" of money and success something which alone could encourage migration from Vietnam for some time. -GEMINI
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: BRIAN MAURICE holds an MA degree from London University on South East Asian Affairs. He has spent some time in Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia and has worked for the BBC External Services Talks Section.
Asian
Copyright Gemini News Service Ltd (1979)
GAS 294/3
31.8
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