TNAG-1425-FCO40-1908-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 29

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HONG KONG'S ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

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Lastly would like to praise Hong Kong's remarkable achievements caring for so many refugees. They have given temporary asylum to over 100,000 Vietnamese since 1975. At the height of the crisis, in 1979, over 68,000 boat people arrived in Hong Kong. None have been turned away. Would like finally to quote words spoken by Hartling

at his press conference in Hong Kong on 14 May:

"We are very grateful to Hong Kong to the authorities, the Government here and to the people because Hong Kong has given asylum

and never, never refused to give asylum to refugees coming here and never forced them back against their will, and treated them well,

but of course, they would like as we would like to see a solution

a durable solution, for these refugees.

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