CONFIDENTIAL
XCCI(92)
CONCLUSION
28
Smuggling remains a major problem for Hong Kong. The current strategy will continue to attack smuggling on three broad fronts: legislation, operations, and liaison with China (where the root of the problem now lies). Efforts are being made to identify physical and technical means by which speedboats may be disabled, but this will take time.
29
Since the ASTF was formed it has constantly reviewed and adapted its tactics to counter initiatives taken by the smugglers. Because of the profits involved it is believed that whatever measures are adopted the smugglers will, in time, adapt, regroup and continue their activity. The Administration, through the ASTF, will continue to formulate and implement suitable measures to counter the problem. To this end it is clear that the ASTF has now evolved from being a short term 'immediate action force' into a long term information tasking group.
22 May 1992
COUNCIL CHAMBER
(CP/CON 135/75 Pt. 9)
Executive Council