А
C
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布政司署
CONFIDENTIAL
香港下亞厘畢道
DIEU
*** OUR REF.: PA CR 2/18/581/82 II
來函檔號 YOUR REF.: HKK 095/2
Mr Clinton Leeks
Hong Kong Department
FCO
Dear Cheriton,
HKK 095/1
RECEIVED IN RECITY
15 DEC 1986
DESK OF#
INDEX
PA
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
REGISTRY
saion Taken
HONG KONG
7 November 1986
Proposed Realignment of the Shenzhen River
From our records it appears that there has been no correspondence between us on the above subject since your tele- letter dated 9 April 1984. I am now writing to resurrect the issue on two counts. Firstly, to bring you up-to-date on the realignment project and secondly to seek your comments on a speaking note concerning the proposed security arrangements to be adopted in undertaking the flood control works.
2.
When Richard Margolis wrote to Richard Hoare on /sides 29 March 1984, the plan was for both/to patrol all areas lying
on their respective sides of the realigned river. According to Fred Burrow's minute of 25 January 1984 this would mean, in effect that a small area of Hong Kong's territory would be transferred to China (hatched green on the enclosed map) and two areas of Chinese territory would be transferred to Hong Kong (hatched red). However, it gradually emerged through border liaison channels and through contacts at the Flood Controls Sub-group meetings that the Chinese felt the realignment should not affect the border and they expected the security forces of both sides to continue to operate on their respective sides of the border after the realignment. If necessary, they said, bridges could be built to enable their security forces to reach that part of their territory which would lie to the south of the river. Given the larger land mass which the Chinese stood to "lose" their view is understandable.
3.
At the Governor's Security Committee meeting held on 9 November 1984, it was agreed that Shenzhen's view would be accepted, with the proviso that foolproof arrangements for the avoidance of misunderstandings should be first worked out by Border Liaison officers. The Commissioner of Police emphasised the need for the old river line to be marked clearly so that there could be no confusion over the limit to which the British and Chinese security forces would patrol. The Commander British Forces and the Political Adviser agreed.
4.
At a meeting on 11 June 1985, the Chief Secretary confirmed that the boundary "should remain as at present, irrespective of the course of the river". It was also confirmed at this meeting that action would be taken in accordance to
CONFIDENTIAL
/paragraph...