凈
藏
+
5. The Governor, Mr. Hopson and we are all agreed that we should try to settle this incident locally and not inv lve the Central Government, which might thus oblige them to take up a formal position. It seems likely that this and an earlier incident resulted from increased vigilance of the local communes to prevent escapes to Hong Kong during the Cultural Revolution. We have no reason to believe that the Chinese, either locally or in Peking, are seeking to provoke a major border incident in Hong Kong. Furthermore, as lir. Hopson points out, the Chinese can be expected, in view of the Canton Fair which is due to open on 15 April, to be particularly anxious to avoid any serious friction with Hong Kong just now. There is therefore a good chance that the incident might be settled without serious escalation.
6. However, if more mainlanders cross into the Colony to make demonstrations against Hong Kong residents, the
· Governor clearly cannot accept this and requires some guidance as to the action he should take. In paragraph 3 of his telegram No. 338, he has suggested arresting any further intruders as illegal immigrants and immediately repatriating them. This would, as the Governor has suggested, involve a serious risk of escalation. might therefore suggest to the Governor that he should not automatically treat these intruders as illegal immigrants but, if they give sufficient cause, detain them for e.g. disorderly behaviour and return them immediately to the mainland.
We
J.s. Carls
(W. S. Carter)
17th March, 1967.
Ꮽ
agree
I understand that The F.O.
That This is The right course.
also
адне.
Telegram may therefor issue.
нез
Til sent
el.
Enter lun
бол
17/3
ANE.
17/3
7
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