TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 242

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

Some Yo

The Chinese have informally expressed interest in establishing an official representative in Hùng Vương,

relations, although there is little pressure from the

local communists for their release at the moment.

(See Brief No 5).

5. The border has remained relatively calm since

Occasional minor incidents the disturbances of 1967.

occur, such as stone-throwing by children on the Chinese side. Last year such incidents were rare. The only major one was the accidential crossing of the border at Shataukok by 2 British army vehicles containing 8 soldiers in May. They were detained

Illegal

for some hours by the Chinese and then released. We regarded this reaction as cooperative. immigrants from China normally attempt to swim to Hong Kong rather than to cross the land frontier. In the past Chinese militia have very occasionally crossed the border to retrieve illegal immigrants and Chinese junks have been known to land in isolated parts of the New Territories for this purpose. Fishing rights and disputed oyster beds have from time to time caused friction between

Chinese and Hong Kong villages.

6.

The usual channel of communication with the Chinese authorities on all important matters affecting Hong Kong is through our Mission in Peking. On matters of purely local interest the channel is between the Political Adviser's Office and the New China News Agency (NCNA) in Hong Kong.

It would This would be difficult for us to accept.

give the Chinese enhanced status and increased

opportunities to exert influence in the Colony.

CONFIDENTIAL

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