CONFIDENTIAL
2
•
4.
We have no wish to interfere with the traditional practice of farming lands or oyster beds This massive influx of on this side of the border.
so-called shoppers was, however, a sharp break with So sharp indeed that we the traditional practice. considered whether, exceptionally, we should try to round them up and send them back as illegal immigrants. This would have involved summoning them to selected places on the pretext of completing the formalities for identity documents and then putting them across the border. Reluctantly, however, we came to the conclusion that this was not possible for the same reasons that we have to allow other illegal immigrants to register
(See e.g. para. 2 of Hong once they have "reached base".
Kong telegram No. 1498 of 29 December 1978.)
5.
Instead, we decided that we would prevent further abuse by turning back any commune members who in the future come further than the pier at Lau Fau Shan where there is a traditional practice of selling fish This leaves which, again, we do not wish to disrupt.
The fields them free to work the oyster beds etc. farmed from China are nearer the frontier in a closed
If necessary area and do not present a similar problem. we will arrest offenders and send them back as illegal immigrants.
6.
This new policy was introduced yesterday. Three days previously I spoke to the NCNA, telling them of the new measures and explaining that we were only taking this action because there had been such a flagrant abuse of traditional practices by the commune in question. Their response was to say that they were sure that the Chinese authorities did not wish people to slip away in
They thought some this fashion and stay on in Hong Kong. measures had already been taken to deal with the problem.
7.
Following the introduction of the new policy yesterday morning about 100 people have been turned back
A further seven who by the police at Lau Fau Shan. insisted that they were going to continue their journey into Hong Kong were arrested and are being returned as illegal immigrants.
8.
We may be facing a similar problem on the East side of Hong Kong with members of the communes in the Bias Bay area. A number of boats have arrived at a fishing village in the Tolo Harbour area new: Taipo. They dispersed before the police could get their hands on them but have apparently said that they intend to return We shall see. A further group to China this evening.
was stopped and turned back in the Sai Kung peninsula.
/contd.
•
CONFIDENTIAL