CONFIDENTIAL
from thirty four (on 27 December, 1967) to six (on 29 May,
1968). But the number detained under the Principal
Emergency Regulations (who are, we believe, mainly British
subjects) has increased from twelve to forty six over the
same period. The detention of aliens pending their
deportation is unlikely to cause any political
difficulty, but the continued detention of British
subjects under the Emergency Regulations could lead to
awkward questions being put to Ministers here. It would
be helpful if the intentions of the Hong Kong aurhorities
as regards this latter category of detainese could be
informally ascertained and in particular if some idea
could be obtained as to how long it is likely that we
shall continue to detain persons in this category.
Border Situation
9. The situation on the Hong Kong/China fronteir remained
relatively quiet until the end of May. On the 29 May
a series of demonstrations was held by Chinese farmers in
the vicinity of the Police post at Lo Wu, These demonstrations
followed protests about the use on the Police practice
firing range of tear gas on 29 May which driftedaend
apparently affected certain mainland Chinese farmers
working in British territory more than 1,000 yards away.
The demonstrations, which involved between 200 and 500
people, had at one stage to be dispersed by tear gas.
There seems little doubt that the incident was spontaneous
and there is as yet no evidence whatever to suggest
that the Chinese Peoples' Government wish to regard
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