232
CYPHER/CAT.A.
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO HONG KONG
(D.T.D.)
TELNO. 2447
30 NOVEMBER, 1967
(HWB 4/1)
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.2447 OF 30 NOVEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO POLAD SINGAPORE, WASHINGTON AND PEKING.
(230)
PEKING TELEGRAM NO.133 TO YOU: BORDER TALKS.
SECRETARY OF STATE WILL BE REPLYING ON 5 DECEMBER TO A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ASKING FOR A STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG, WE HAD INTENDED AVOIDING ANY REFERENCE TO BORDER TALKS IN SUBSTANTIVE REPLY LEAVING SUBJECT TO BE DEALT WITH AS NECESSARY BY REPLIES TO SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS. BUT IN VIEW OF INFORMATION IN PEKING TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE AND OF REPORTED PRESS COMMENT IN HONG KONG
IT WILL PROBABLY BE BOTH NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE FOR THE SECRETARY
OF STATE TO DEAL WITH THE MATTER IN HIS SUBSTANTIVE REPLY.
2. WE ARE ACCORDINGLY PROPOSING TO RECOMMEND A REPLY ON THE FOLLOWING
LINES:-
QUOTE BORDER EXCHANGES BETWEEN HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE LOCAL CHINESE BORDER AUTHORITIES WERE CONCLUDED ON 25 NOVEMBER.
THE EXCHANGES WERE CONFINED TO LOCAL FRONTIER ISSUES AND AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE RETURN TO BRITISH TERRITORY OF CERTAIN HONG KONG POLICE PERSONNEL WHO HAD BEEN IN CHINESE HANDS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS:
THE DEPORTATION TO CHINA OF FIVE PERSONS ARRESTED FOR OFFENCES
COMMITTED IN BRITISH TERRITORY: THE OPENING OF THE BORDER BRIDGE AT MAN KAM TO: THE REALIGNMENT OF A WIRE FENCE WHICH HAD BEEN ERECTED BY THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES IN 1962 FOR IMMIGRATION PURPOSES: THE MAKING OF EX GRATIA PAYMENTS BY THE BRITISH SIDE TO OFFSET LOSSES TO CERTAIN FARMERS FROM CHINESE TERRITORY RESULTING FROM THE CLOSURE OF THE MAN KAM TO BRIDGE AND DAMAGE CAUSED TO CERTAIN GRAVES BY MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN BRITISH TERRITORY.
3. THE BRITISH SIDE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ACCEPTED NO BLAME FOR THE CLOSURE OF MAN KAM TO BRIDGE. THEY ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT ANY
PERSONS FROM CHINESE TERRITORY WHO WORKED LAND ON THE HONG KONG SIDE
WERE FREE TO CROSS THE FRONTIER TO ENGAGE IN FARMING AND OTHER
LAST
REF
230
NEA
R+E.
213
CONFIDENTIAL
/ACTIVITIES
.
I
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