TNAG-1941-FCO40-2767-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 72

HKCOB2

2/1

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

28 November 1989

Abdul S Minty Esq

World Campaign Against Military &

Nuclear Collaboration with South Africa

PO Box 2 Lindebery Gaard

Oslo 10

NORWAY

Dear Mr Minity,

PA.

Mr Stim

W 28/1

Thank you for your letter of 12 October to Mr Maude about the testing by the Hong Kong police of South African riot control equipment.

You ask whether the import into Hong Kong of shotguns and similar equipment, including anti riot equipment made in South Africa, is prohibited by local legislation. As we have already made clear, the import of all arms into Hong Kong is controlled by law the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations. As far as imports of arms from South Africa are concerned, the Hong Kong authorities have introduced administrative measures to ensure that applications for such imports will not be approved. In addition there are administrative procedures to ensure that the Royal Hong Kong Police (which is the only organisation within the Hong Kong Government concerned with arms purchases) do not purchase arms from South Africa.

You ask about transhipment.

The position is as described in Mr Maude's letter of 15 September: if a transhipment does not contravene international Conventions and Treaties or local laws, it may take place through Hong Kong.

Your Suicerty

Licza Brewer

Nicola Brewer

Private Secretary to Mr Francis Maude

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