TNAG-2404-FCO40-3491-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1992 — Page 133

UNCLASSIFIED

HKA 062/2

CRIME. OPC

154455

MDHIAN 9649

28

UNCLASSIFIED

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 29103OZ FCO

TELNO 1748

OF 290944Z JUNE 92

INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

(27)

YRTELNO 1020 WRITTEN PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

TOP COPY DIST ?

Ра

1. THE INVITATION TO CHINA TO POST POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS IN HONG KONG AROSE FROM INCREASED CROSS BORDER CRIME, PARTICULARLY VIOLENT CRIME INVOLVING GUNS, SMUGGLING, COMMERCIAL CRIME, CAR THEFT AND NARCOTICS. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT THE

POSTING OF SUCH LIAISON OFFICER S IN HONG KONG WOULD ENABLE

QUICKER AND MORE EFFECTIVE CO-OPERATION ON CRIMINAL MATTERS.

2. THE MATTER WAS FIRST RAISED WITH THE CHINESE WHEN THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE VISITED BEIJING ON 25 MARCH 1992. DURING A SUBSEQUENT VISIT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ON 27 APRIL 1992

THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL AND AGREED

TO SEND ONE TO THREE LIAISON OFFICERS TO HONG KONG. THIS WAS ANNOUNCED WHEN THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RETURNED TO HONG KONG ON 9 MAY 1992.

3. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 8 COUNTRIES WITH POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS IN THE TERRITORY. AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS IN HONG KONG, PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU LIAISON OFFICERS WILL HAVE NO JURISDICTION, CONSTABULARY POWERS OR OPERATIONAL ROLE. THEIR PURPOSE IS TO IMPROVE EXISTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION, PARTICULARLY IN URGENT CASES. THEY WILL HAVE NO AUTOMATIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION HELD BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.

4. POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS REPRESENTING OTHER COUNTRIES IN HONG

KONG AS BASED IN CONSULATES. THE PSB LIAISON OFFICERS ARE LIKELY

TO BE BASED IN THE LOCAL BRANCH OF NCNA.

5. WE ARE CONTENT WITH YOUR REPLY TO ROBERT ADLEY'S QUESTION ON 30 JUNE.

WILSON

1

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