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IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Telno 1586
SECRET
26 October, 1967
Addressed to C.0. telegram No. 1586 of 26 October. Repeated for information to:
(112) Your telegram No. 2181:
Peking Washington.
Hong Kong Border.
POLAD Singapore
There has been no further communication from N.C.N.A. However, this morning a message was received through the company which transports produce at Man Kam To. This asked that a Police Officer be at Man Kam To bridge by 12 o'clock to discuss the return of Inspector Knight with a senior P.L.A. officer from Canton. We saw no great disadvantage in this and sent to Man Kam To a Police Officer well known in the frontier area. After some delay a party of Chinese Army Officers appeared, took great pains to identify the Police Officer and finally merely said that they had no message for him.
2. Our tentative view is that this was an attempt by the Chinese on the border to discover whether we are serious about discussing border problems. It would be helpful if H.M. Chargé could inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of these developments.
3. I shall of course attempt to consult you before entering into any commitment, but you will appreciate that events may move too quickly on occasions to allow consultation before every move.
Foreign Office please pass Peking No. 583 and Washington No. 338.
Sir D. Trench.
[Repetition to Peking referred for departmental decision,
repeated as requested to other post 1.
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ÜCT 1967
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