In the summer of 1982, the Hong Kong government changed its policy. All refugees who arrived after July 2 1982 have been detained in closed camps, run by the Correctional Services Department (CSD).
The government explained its change of policy by saying that closed camps would make Hong Kong a less attractive destination for refugees and would deter people from leaving Vietnam. It also said that trouble makers from open camps would be transferred to closed camps.
This policy has remained unchanged for almost four years. During this time the number of refugees arriving in Hong Kong has declined, but the number of refugees leaving for resettlement overseas has hardly changed. There have been 1,769 births and 66 deaths.
Year
Arrivals
Departures
1983
3,651
4,200
1984
2,230
3,694
1985
1,112
3,953
1986 (Feb)
121
565
On March 1
When the closed camp policy was introduced in July 1982 the number of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong was 11,253 and rising; by the end of 1982 it was up to 12,627. 1986, after efforts by the Hong Kong government to drum up more resettlement places, it was 9,076 and falling.
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