TNAG-1277-FCO40-1627-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 93

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ANNEX V

DRAFT UK STATEMENT FOR 4TH SESSION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UNHCR

ITEM C: ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES

HONG KONG

1. I wish to expand on the references to Hong Kong already made in the UK statement in the general debate under Item 4.

2.

Hong Kong's situation is extremely difficult, and different in nature perhaps from all other places of asylum: a small territory and a very overcrowded one. Hong Kong has almost as many people as Switzerland on a territory equal to that of one of the smallest cantons. For this reason Hong Kong has reduced its own population growth from 1.2% in 1981 to almost zero last year; and expansion through immigration is now under strict control. Despite this, 14,000 refugees and displaced persons have been accepted in the recent past for local settlement and integration. Hong Kong has never refused asylum to any asylum seeker. But this has always been on the understanding that the grant of asylum must be temporary. Hong Kong has the proud record, recognised by the UNHCR, of never having turned away a single asylum seeker arriving from Vietnam.

But Hong Kong cannot absorb any more.

3.

Fortunately, the number of arrivals this year in small boats from Vietnam is markedly down on last year, at about half the previous rate. But most disappointingly the departure rate for

permanent resettlement elsewhere have been reduced still more

drastically, by two thirds. As a result there are now 800 more Vietnamese in Hong Kong than there were a year ago. As the UNECR said in the Assistance Document (A/AC 96/620) Hong Kong shelters the largest number of boat people in the region. A special effort

on their behalf is called for.

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14.