From The Minister of State
The Hon Francis Maude MP
Rt Hon Sir David Steel KBE MP
House of Commons
LONDON SW1A OAA
Ра
(30)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
3 July 1990
HKB 177
RECEIVED IN DE
Y
11 JUL 1990
See Sand
Thank you for your letter of 19 June enclosing one from Mrs Persephone Booth of The Timbers, Church road, Kettleburgh, Nr Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 7LE about alleged incidents in Hong Kong involving Chinese soldiers.
Mrs Booth seems to be misinformed about the position in
Hong Kong. Her suggestions that Chinese soldiers "steal
whatever they take a fancy to" is wide of the mark. It is true however that there have been incursions into Hong
Kong waters involving Chinese vessels. Whenever these occur the matter is taken up with the Chinese authorities through established border liaison channels or through the Political Adviser's office. In general the Hong Kong Government cooperates well with the Chinese authorities
over such matters.