TNAG-1068-FCO40-1318-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1981 — Page 37

Brief for H.E. The Governor

VIETNAMESE

REFUGEES

On 19th June, 1981 there were 16,236 refugees in Hong

Kong awaiting resettlement. This includes 4,926 who arrived

two and a half times more than last year's figure for the same period.

this year

2.

Total

The regional picture is also a matter of concern.

arrivals of boat refugees up to the end of May were 39,662

compared with 26,990 for the same period last year. Regional arrivals in May alone were about 14,000 compared with regional

departures on resettlement of only 6,500.

3.

Arrivals in Hong Kong in April were 1,051 and in May 1,235.

So far in June 1,409 have arrived.

4.

The US and Canada, with approximately 1,500 and 200 per month respectively are now our only continuing and reliable source

of resettlement places. At most all other countries taken together can be expected to average a total of 100 places per month so that our best forecast of departures is in the region of 1,800 refugees per month.

5.

There are only 406 places left of the UK quota. Hong Kong has been given permission to select for 200 of these.

6.

With arrivals matching departures Hong Kong's refugee

population is now static at around 16,000. Some 9,500 of

these have been in Hong Kong for over 18 months.

7.

Some 10,300 of our refugee population are ethnic Chinese and the remainder ethnic Vietnamese; but nearly all new arrivals

this year are Vietnamese.