TNAG-0970-FCO40-1189-Statistics-on-refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 12

1

BACKGROUND NOTE

CONFIDENTIAL

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

1. 73,692 Vietnamese boat refugees were allowed to land temporarily

in Hong Kong in 1979 and a further 10,752 have arrived so far this

year. 24,377 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong were resettled by

UNHCR in countries of permanent settlement in 1979 and a further

29,679 up to the end of September this year.

2.

The British Government undertook in July 1979 to accept 10,000

of these refugees for resettlement in the United Kingdom (in addition

to 1,500 under a previous quota). Last year 3,897 were resettled in

this country and 4,947 have been resettled here this year up to the

end of last month. It is hoped that the full commitment will be met

by March 1981.

3. The Governor of Hong Kong is now proposing a fresh United Kingdom

quota of 5,000, without a specific time limit for resettlement, to

include refugees rescued at sea by British ships. He will shortly be

raising this question with the Secretary of State.

4.

The above figures include Vietnamese who have entered Hong Kong

from China, although, strictly speaking, we do not regard them as

refugees.

Hong Kong and General Department

30 October 1980

CONFIDENTIAL