CONFIDENTIAL
CR 6/3371/72 II
RC Samuel Esq
Far Eastern Department
F CO
20 April, 1978
AKK 020|!..
- 3 MAY 1978
PA
lon Taken
MRS SWINK
CHINESE "GUNBOAT" IN HONG KONG WATERS
29
I reported in Hong Kong telegram No. 375 of 24 March that a small Chinese "gunboat" had passed through Hong Kong waters the previous day.
This was unusual because, although Chinese gunboats habitually operate in the two bays to the east and west of Hong Kong (Mirs Bay and Deep Bay), they have not, since 1963, passed through or near the harbour area. I brought this incident to the attention of the NCNA on 30 March, dealing with it in a low key manner and saying that my main concern was that existing good relations should not be damaged in any way by misunderstandings or by the sort of press comment which was inevitably printed about an incident of this sort.
2.
A member of the NCNA telephoned me today to give an answer to my comments. He said that the Kwangtung authorities had carried out an investigation which showed that the gunboat was a newly launched vessel belonging to the public security authorities of Fukien province. The crew had "taken it into their own hands" to pass through Hong Kong waters in order to save time and to avoid the choppy seas outside. They had been reprimanded for so doing.
3.
I told the NCNA man that I was very grateful to the Kwangtung authorities for carrying out a thorough investigation and reassuring us in this manner. I also said that I thought it an excellent example of good co- operative relations. Indeed I do. I am pleasantly surprised that the Chinese should respond in this way without a single word about sovereignty or the right of Chinese vessels to do as they wish. It is also encouraging that they should take the trouble to tell us that the crew was reprimanded.
(D C Wilson)
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