TNAG-0186-FCO40-222-Special-branch-reports-on-Communist-activities-1969 — Page 55

If

Ref: C/13/369/5

SECRET COPY No.of.3.5.

13

COPIES:

Special Branch,

Hong Kong Police.

23rd January 1969.

Lin Ma Hang Villagers

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INTRODUCTION

Lin Ma Hang Village (GR KV 100967), is situated on the Sino/British border, lying in a valley at the foot of Kong Shan, about 5 miles East of

Lo Wu. The village is on the southern side of the border road, near what

is commonly referred to as the "International Bridge", formerly a recognized

crossing point between Hong Kong and China and now used solely by British Territory (B.T.) farmers who till land in Chinese Territory (C.T.). On the

opposite side of the border in C.T. is the Communist village of Cheung Meng (GR KV 098975). Many years ago, long before the C.P.G. assumed power in

China, the two villages were more or less one, and the inhabitants of both

considered themselves to be clansmen, i.e. village brothers and sisters.

In many ways they so regard themselves even row. Until recent years inter-

marriage between the families, and joint celebrations of festivals and the

like, were not uncommon. Since the Communist take-over however, the

villagers have gradually severed connections, each leading an entirely

different and separate form of life, particularly as the Lin Ma. Hang

villagers are, to some extent, supporters of the K.M.T. regime. In 1962

for instance, a cache of K.M.T. arms and sabotage devices was found by

Special Branch officers near the village, and there was evidence that

some members of the community had participated in sabotage missions in

China on behalf of the K.M.T.

2.

Though the official recorded population of Lin Ma Hang is 540, 2 large number (160) of the male villagers are now working in Britain, or

elsewhere overseas, at the present time, having been able to obtain

British Passports or other benefits of which they are fully conscious e Consequently the actual population is 380, mainly women and children.

The female villagers now tend the village farm land in British Territory,

though some acreage has been rented to Chiu Chau farmers who, under sufferance of the local irhabitants, have settled in the area, following

SECRET

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