TNAG-0932-FCO40-1151-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1980 — Page 98

1

Present:

Record of Meeting with NCNA in the Political Adviser's Office at 3 p.m. on 5 March 1980

Mr Li Jusheng

2nd Director NCNA

Mr Tan Gan

NCNA

Mr Li Ruohe

Interpreter NCNA

Incident in Deep Bay

Dr D C Wilson

Political Adviser

Mr I C Orr

Assistant Political Adviser

Dr Wilson said he had asked Mr Li to call to discuss the incident in Deep Bay on 29 February. There had been a collision at about 0030 hours between a RN hovercraft and a Chinese patrol boat. He id not intend to go into all the details, but he did wish to bring to Mr Li's attention three important points concerned with the incident.

2.

(a)

(b)

(c)

At about 0330 hours patrol boat Hai Gong 732 had uncovered its guns. Over a period of several hours it had pointed them in the direction variously of the hovercraft and two Hong Kong police launches which had come to give assistance.

At about 0430 hours an armed boarding party from Hai Gong 732 went on board the hovercraft and remained there until about 1530 hours, with one change of personnel of the armed group taking place during this period. The presence of the boarding party prevented the crew of the hovercraft from going on deck to use their pumps. This could have had serious consequences.

The same patrol craft also pointed its guns at two RN vessels, HMS Yarnton and HMS Clare, when they came within about half a mile of the scene.

It was a serious matter for an armed boarding party to board a RN vessel on patrol in Hong Kong waters. It was also sericus that there should be attempts to use force or intimidated by force on RN vessels and Hong Kong police launches,

3.

Both sides had traditionally patrolled in Deep Bay and Mirs Bay. In the circumstances it was understandable that occasional problems should arise. But when this happened, they should be solved quickly and without resort to intimidation and the use of force. Hong Kong was willing to examine and discuss ways of avoiding such incidents in future and dealing with them if they occurred. One particularly unfortunate aspect of this incident was that, for a long period, patrol craft on both sides were unable to carry out their normal duties. They were both engaged in similar work. The only people to benefit from the time taken to resolve the incident were illegal immigrants

CONFIDENTIAL

2/4.