TNAG-1165-FCO40-1445-Visits-by-officials-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 79

CONFIDENHAL

this with other authorities in Guangdong. A final decision

could be the subject of a meeting between the respective

Customs agencies. Mr. McLaren and Mr. KWONG reminded Mr. ZHANG

of an outstanding invitation to the Guangdong customs to send a

team to Hong Kong to look at anti-Narcotics training etc.

6.

Mr. ZHANG proposed and Mr. McLaren agreed that the next

border liaison meeting should be held in Guangzhou in the first

half of December 1982.

i

Substantive Points

Deep Bay fishermen

7. Mr. ZHANG said that the provincial PSB issued two types

of permit allowing fishing in Deep Bay (but not valid for travel

to and from Hong Kong). A temporary "fisherman's permit" was

issued to those fishing as a secondary occupation and a "boatman's

certificate" issued to full-time fishermen. Mr. ZHANG said

that holders of both types of permit faced considerable

difficulty and inconvenience when arrested by Hong Kong Marine

Police as illegal immigrants and repatriated via Man Kam To

whilst their vessels were stranded in Hong Kong.

8. Mr. McLaren understood the fishermen's concern and said

that the Hong Kong authorities had no wish to obstruct the legitimate activities of permit-holding fishermen. Nevertheless,

the authorities had to keep up their guard against illegal

immigration and smuggling. It was necessary to distinguish

between fishermen at sea and those seeking to land at Lau Fau

Shan.

9. Mr. LAU confirmed that there were particular difficulties

at Lau Fau Shan (it had been used in the past to land illegal immigran

children). As a border liaison officer Mr. LAU offered all the help necessary in arranging the recovery and return to Shenzhen of vessels seized by Marine Police. He suggested the question be raised at border liaison level, where the details of each

ONFIDENTIM

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