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Thursday, September 16, 1999

ESCAPE FROM FUJIAN
(BCTV) - Part 3

There are other countries that are also forced to deal with floods of illegal Chinese migrants. One of those "promised lands" is Australia. As we continue our focus on the desperate people who try to escape from China's Fujian province, Deborra Hope reports on how they deal with refugee claimants "Down Under". [

Deborra Hope, reporting: "They're customs officers hot on the trail of the new contraband. They have reason to believe this vessel is attempting to smuggle desperate people to a new life.

Australia is a destination of choice. In the past 12 months alone, more than 40 ships have turned up off Australia's shores. Those on board have one thing in common. They've all paid Snakeheads for the promise of a better life.

Many don't make it. They're rounded up in their new suits - their filthy clothes from the journey abandoned on the beach. Those who do escape find themselves lost on the unfriendly Australian coast...the authorities not far behind them doing what they can to find a few lost souls in the vast wilderness."

Immigration officer: "It is very difficult...We have no idea of the people we are looking for or what location where they are going to be."

Deborra Hope, reporting: "Here, as elsewhere in the world, people smuggling is becoming a major issue, one that governments are just beginning to come to grips with."

Phillip Ruddock, Immigration Minister: "It is the truth that something like seven million people are on the move around the world. It is the truth that something like four billion dollars is being extracted from them for the purpose of engaging in people smuggling."

Deborra Hope, reporting: "Of course, each country deals with the would-be immigrants differently. Australia ships detainees to an isolated detention centre on the north coast. And then, almost always, ships them back home. Their Migration Act says anybody who gets in illegally must be shipped out as soon as possible. What these hopeful people don't seem to know is that to date, 86 percent of the Chinese boat people have been deported."

Immigration official: "You have to understand that you can't jump on a boat and come to Australia. If they haven't got a basis to enter, these people will be returned quickly."

Deborra Hope, reporting: "But the counterattack is costing millions of dollars and so far, despite its hard line stance, Australia seems unable to discourage the Chinese and others from making their desperate journey to a better life. And experts are now warning, there are many more to come."

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