TNAG-0040-FCO40-76-Border-incidents-with-China-1968 — Page 101

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Annex A to (49) in

SCR 54/3371/67 dated 8th December, 1967.

BORDER POLICY

AIM

1.

Our aim in the border area is to secure peace and stability whilst preserving the essential authority of the Hong Kong Government there.

2.

POLICY

There can be no advantage in provoking without purpose the Chinese border authorities and, in particular the C.C.A.. Our policy, and our methods of executing that policy, must therefore recognise that a measure of restraint on our part will be needed.

3

We must also take account of the points agreed at the recent talks with the Chinese border authorities, the substance of which, in so far as it affects this paper,

is attached as Appendix 1.

4.

We should not close recognised crossing points on the border without good reason, nor leave them closed for longer than is necessary. Having closed a crossing point, however, it must be closed effectively; nor should it be re-opened until clear advantage in so doing is seen.

"Not closing recognised crossing points" means

5.

(a) allowing normal passage at Lowu to travellers,

goods and farmers accustomed to cross at this point;

(b) allowing farmers to cross at all other

customary points to work their fields or

to visit villages in B.T.;

(c) allowing food and other supplies to cross

at Man Kam To and coolies to enter the lairage area; and

(a) allowing free movement for commercial and domestic purposes within Sha Tau Kok;

provided that in all cases the persons concerned behave in a reasonably orderly manner.

6.

Incursions in force or unacceptable activities on either the border or within B.T. cannot be condoned, and must be prevented as far as possible, It is clearly impossible to define precisely what activities are unacceptable, but a general definition is

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/ (a)