TNAG-0004-FCO40-40-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 102

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BACKGROUND NOTES

Talks with Chinese Border Authorities

There has been comparative calm in the border area.

In the course of exchanges between our Charge d'Affaires and the

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on border incidents, the latter

suggested on 20th October that these might be discussed at local level.

After some initial difficulty, local contacts were established.

A preliminary meeting took place on 1st November on Chinese territory

with Chinese border authorities. Latter's attitude was reasonable and even

friendly. Only border issues were raised in Chinese demands, which were:-

(a) return of five Chinese arrested on our side of the frontier;

(b) removal of obstruction on Man Kam To bridge;

(c) removal of wire fence erected in 1962 in vicinity of bridge;

(d) compensation for peasants sustaining losses as result of

closure of bridge;

(e) compensation for family graves destroyed at military positions

in Man Kam To area.

With some reservations, particularly on (d), it was considered that

these demands could be met provided that the Chinese agreed to our own

Gad

demands of which the main ones were as follows:-

(i) return of Inspector Knight and two Chinese policemen;

(ii) return of villager abducted on 11th October;

(iii) return of Sterling gun seized on 11th August;

(iv) agreement to some permanent method of consulting on border

problems.

After some delay due to argument about venue (the Chinese declined to meet our request for meetings on alternate sides of the border), a second meeting took place on Chinese territory on 3rd November. Discussions

though protracted were conducted in friendly atmosphere. Agreement was

reached on exchange of police personnel, Sterling gun and

for arrested Chinese; on opening of Man Kam To bridge; and on compensation.

A timetable for giving effect to these arrangements was laid down.

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