UNHCR opened its China office in 1980 in response to the influx of Vietnamese refugees that followed the Sino-Vietnamese conflict of 1978-1979.
In 1997, the UNHCR office in Beijing started covering Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao.
China ratified the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol, in September 1982. It has since been an active participant in the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme, a panel of countries advising UNHCR and approving its budget.
Despite being a party to both the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol, China has no domestic law in place to process asylum seekers. UNHCR is therefore invited by China to provide technical assistance through provision of Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and the search for durable solutions for refugees, from their offices in Beijing.
Refugees recognized as such by UNHCR are permitted to remain temporarily in China while the UNHCR finds a sustainable solution for them.
The Office of UNHCR
UNHCR is governed by the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
National Goodwill Ambassador
“I was deeply touched by how the refugees keep their dignity and kindness.” Yao Chen has worked with UNHCR since 2010.
The High Commissioner
Filippo Grandi became the 11th United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on 1 January 2016.
UNHCR in Hong Kong
The UNHCR Sub-Office Hong Kong (“SOHK”) reports to the Office in Beijing and covers both the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions.
History of UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly.
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Information about UNHCR Offices around the world