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maintained in the Criminal Records Office of the PSB in the province where the person was arrested. Should a person be arrested in a province which is not his normal place of residence, that provincial PSB will inform the home province of the person arrested. The Ministry in Beijing does however maintain records of certain itinerant offenders who are concerned in very serious crime. Strangely enough, the national record of stolen firearms is maintained in Shanghai.
13.
Our observations revealed that the process of moderni- sation is continuing in the Police forces in China: for example, it was noted that PSB officers in Shanghai and Guangzhou were carrying Government issue pagers. There is no doubt that the Interpol Office in Beijing has become well established and gained a great deal of respect from all levels within the PSB. This was confirmed in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
14.
The difference of approach between the Beijing NCB and the Guangdong PSB which was noted during our last visit now seems to have been resolved in favour of Beijing. Indeed, on this occasion, the Director of PSB Guangdong Province Mr WEN Guang-chi() emphasised the need for close cooperation through the Interpol channels.
15.
Whilst in China opportunities were taken to verify or otherwise the truth of various articles which had appeared in Hong Kong newspapers during April 1987, which depicted 100% rise in the number of crimes in Guangdong committed by criminals from Hong Kong and Macau. These articles further suggested that Hong Kong Triad elements were involved in organised crimes in China. Our Chinese counterparts confirmed that these figures were exaggerated (only about 40 Hong Kong residents and 20 Macanese had been arrested) and there was nothing to indicate that they were Triad members.
Conclusion
16.
It seems that the 'power struggle" between the officials in Beijing and Guangdong has now come to an end. The formal setting up of the Interpol Office in Guangdong will benefit both sides in the speedy exchange of information and cooperation.
17.
Differences in the law between the two territories is still creating difficulties in the handling of particular cases. There has been an increase in the amount of liaison and cooperation which is greatly appreciated by the Chinese side.
18.
We saw plenty of sophisticated equipment in the units
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