TNAG-1019-FCO40-1269-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1981 — Page 42

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Page No. 8. of 10 pages

They

there are trying to have them returned directly to China. generally arrived on small unseaworthy sampans. None of these have yet come on to Hong Kong, but all the ex-China boats which arrived during the month stopped briefly in Macau on their way. There have been indications that further repatriations from Hong

Kong to China may be arranged in the next couple of months.

28.

Comparison of the genuine refugee figures for May 1981 and May 1980 show some interesting contrasts. Total arrivals this May were 1235, almost double the 635 for May 1980. However, there was a significant increase in numbers rescued at sea by ocean going vessels: 585 on 8 vessels compared with 219 on 4 vessels in May 1980. All these refugees had left ports in

southern Vietnam. Direct arrivals by small boats from central Vietnam were almost unchanged: 406 (on 13 small boats) compared

with 416 (on 17 boats) in May 1980. There were also 244 arrivals direct from northern Vietnam on 10 boats compared with no such

arrivals in May 1980.

29.

The groups rescued by sea have all sailed deliberately into international shipping lanes, but prepared to travel to pre-determined destinations in south east Asia other than Hong Kong if no friendly ship appeared. So far there is no evidence that they are deterred from seeking rescue at sea by the fact that this greatly reduces the chances of resettlement in the United States for all but those with close family connections with the United States.

30.

No firm conclusions can be drawn from the comparatively low

number of direct arrivals from central Vietnam since weather

conditions off the Vietnamese coast were poor for about two weeks during the month. However, in view of the continuing desire to leave and seasonally favourable weather conditions, it is likely that there will be an increase in numbers of Vietnamese leaving Central

and Northern Vietnam clandestinely and heading for Hong Kong in the coming months.

/para 31.

G.F. 316

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