36. The Committee recommended that the Government should take vigorous steps to secure a more positive and responsible approach by the Chinese Government to the problem of Vietnamese boat people (paragraph 5.8). The Government have continued to press the Chinese authorities to step up their efforts to prevent asylum seekers transitting China en route to Hong Kong both overland and along the South China coast. The latest evidence suggests that 90 per cent of new arrivals now make most of the journey overland. Information on the routes used is being passed to the Chinese authorities on a regular basis.
37. The Government recognise that the Vietnamese boat people problem has for many years imposed a heavy social and financial burden on Hong Kong. Since the beginning of 1989 the Government have pledged or contributed nearly £37 million towards the boat people problem, either in support of UNHCR operations in Hong Kong or direct to the Hong Kong Government for emergency accommodation.
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Dd0001082 C11 5/90 3197810 19542
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