TNAG-0040-FCO40-76-Border-incidents-with-China-1968 — Page 2

across the border were endeavouring to intensify political

awareness amongst the local inhabitants, some of whom

cross the border daily to farm commune land in British

Territory. Eventually there began, in November, 1966,

a series of minor incidents involving Chinese Territory

farmers and coolies who, on occasions, in their attempts

to propagate MAO's teachings in British Territory, came

into open conflict with members of the Hong Kong Police.

These incidents occurred exclusively in the Man Kam To

and Ta Ku Ling area. Nevertheless, prior to the 11th

August, 1967, when the bridge was first closed, the

importation of live-stock and produce was not affected

in any way at Man Kam To bridge.

3.

These particular incidents had little or no

effect elsewhere along the land frontier. The major

crossing point at Lo Wu functioned normally and travellers

and goods moved freely from one side to the other. In

Sha Tau Kok the effect of the Cultural Revolution was

manifested by a considerable increase in propaganda through

the media of posters and slogans as well as daily

loudspeaker broadcasts from the Chinese side of the

border. This propaganda, allied with political

indoctrination meetings, gave rise to increased militancy

among the Chinese Territory residents, evidencing itself

in stone throwing by youths, and in some instances by

individual members of the C.C.A., at Hong Kong Police

patrols and static duties in the immediate border area.

In February, 1967, Police patrols were withdrawn from the

British Territory side of Chung Ying Street, along which

the boundary line is drawn.

4.

The border area west of Lo Wu remained free of

/incidents.....

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