Haven for Refugees

Thirty-four refugees from Vietnam have been resettled on Penghu (Pescadores) after being rescued from a desert island in the Spratly group in the South China Sea by a Chinese fishing boat. When they arrived in the southern Taiwan seaport of Kaohsiung, they recounted how many of their number, including women and children, had died of exposure, hunger and thirst during the 50-day ordeal on the island. They said that after they were allowed to leave Vietnam by the authorities on paying several ounces of gold, they set out on their fishing boat without the faintest idea where they would go, or of what awaited them in the vast and mysterious ocean. All they knew was that no matter how terrible their fate, it could not be any worse than living under the cruel Communist regime in Vietnam. Their troubles started five days after their departure when their boat developed engine trouble. Fierce winds and rough sea forced them to abandon their original plan to go to Malaysia, and they headed instead for the Philippines. Their journey ended, however, when they ran aground on the barren island. Just when it seemed that all would perish from starvation and dehydration, the Chinese ship "Tsai Fu", under the command of Captain Chen Cheng-man picked up 56 survivors, most of them ethnic Chinese. In spite of the intensive care given to them during the journey to Taiwan, 22 more died from exhaustion and illness. On his arrival in free China, Chen Chin-ho, leader of the refugee group said: "We feel deep sorrow for those who perished before their goal of freedom was achieved. But at least they tried." After their transfer to Penghu, an island group between Taiwan and the China mainland, the refugees received a check-up and medical treatment at the Chinese Naval Hospital. In a few days, most of them had regained their health and resumed normal daily activities. Mo Sung-nien, chairman of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, flew to Makung on Dec. 5 to greet the refugees, and a Chinese Navy group followed this up the next day with a second cheering mission. About 40 other organizations also raised funds and provided clothing to help the refugees recover from the effects of their nightmare. All the survivors expressed their deep appreciation to the Chinese government for helping them to return to a normal life of work and study. They also expressed their gratitude to the captain of the Tsai Fu for stopping to pick them up, after several other passing ships ignored their pleas for help. In accordance with its advocacy of human rights, the government of the Republic of China is deeply concerned about the suffering of the people under Communist rule in Vietnam, and will continue to offer whatever assistance is necessary in the future. There are currently about 900 freedom seekers from Vietnam in the Penghu refugee camp. It is hoped all nations, acting on the principles of humanity, will offer similar help to these unfortunate people.