HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
5 July 1989
香港立法局
一九八九年七月五日
86
has no ties with Vietnam; nor any obligation towards Vietnamese boat people.
2. The British Government and various MPs from both sides of the House have so far rejected Hong Kong's legitimate request of restoration of a right which was taken away without consultation nor compensation for the injured party. Many arguments had been made based on claims of practical difficulties, which are more imaginary than real as shown by the Corry Report commissioned by the South China Morning Post and surveys conducted by independent organizations. In comparison, Hong Kong has accepted and continued to accommodate all boat people in the face of immense practical difficulties.
3. The vast majority of the Vietnamese boat people are treated as economic migrants by the resettlement countries, and has no chance of resettlement in the West. They do not want to stay in Hong Kong. They have no future except back in Vietnam. Hong Kong is left with the burden of looking after them until they can return to Vietnam under humane conditions. In contrast, the people of Hong Kong want to stay in Hong Kong. Those who have migrated stand to lose in income, in social status, in career development, and in breaking up family ties, Far from being economic migrants, they bring in capital, professional and entrepreneurial skills, and are welcomed by other countries. They are forced to leave because they need the insurance policy. If they can have the insurance policy without leaving, who would want to leave? There is a world of difference between Vietnamese boat people and the people of Hong Kong. The stark contrast between Hanoi and Hong Kong shows that difference to some extent.
4. If Britain and the United States are sincere in their acclaimed wish to see democracy flourished in Hong Kong, then they must work together to provide practical incentive to enable Hong Kong people to remain here and build up their system. The talk of treating Hong Kong people as refugees only adds fuel to our brain drain problem. After all, we have all witnessed the double standards and compassion fatigue of these Western countries towards Vietnamese boat people. What guarantees are there that things will be different? No, Hong Kong people will not hang their hopes on empty promises.
Sir, Hong Kong people are doers, not dreamers. We have done what we can for the Vietnamese refugees and boat people, and we make no apologies for that. Speeches, no matter how flowery and soothing, are merely words. They
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.