TNAG-1528-FCO40-2092-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 28

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time in the southern Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Gwangxi and Yunnan before

coming to Macao. Some 95 percent of those left in the camp came from northern

Vietnam. The detour through China complicates claims for refugee status, as

technically the PRC was their country of first asylum. Furthermore, China has

absorbed 260,000 since the 1979 war--primarily ethnic Chinese refugees from

Vietnam, most of whom (approximately 230,000) arrived at one time in 1979.

No new arrivals have been allowed to come ashore in Macau since October

Apparently, an agreement exists between Macao and Hong Kong authorities

that the latter will handle cases of new arrivals. Thus, when new boat people

arrive in Macao, they are directed to keep sailing for Hong Kong. Some

reportedly have continued, heading for Taiwan and the Philippines.

1982.

UNHCR and Macao government departments contribute assistance and resources

for the refugees' welfare, and Catholic Relief Services administers Ka Ho

camp. A number of refugees have jobs in Macao, while others work in the camp

engaged in such activities as making artificial flowers for commercial sale.

Refugees in Ka Ho have fewer resettlement prospects under current rules

than do those in some of the other camps, largely because of their North

Vietnamese origins. It has been some time--more than a year--since any

refugees were resettled from this camp. Some officials think that eventually

they will be absorbed into Macao. The new government in Portugal elected in

February is expected to appoint a new governor to Macao who may be more

inclined to seek a resolution to the plight of the refugees in Ka Ho camp.

Recommendations--A Time for Shared Responsibility

Despite some positive changes in the closed camps during the past several

months and plans that Jubilee Camp will be closed, a fundamental reality

remains for the boat people in the Hong Kong camps: their hopes and desires

to begin their lives anew in a free country become dimmer and more remote with