TNAG-2406-FCO40-3499-Chinese-incursions-into-Hong-Kong-waters-smuggling.-With-pho-1992 — Page 17

CONFIDENTIAL

HKA 177/1

& SIG

CONFIDENTIAL

FM UKMIS NEW YORK

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 3192

OF 260702Z SEPTEMBER 92

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, PEKING

36

064202

MDHIAN 0785

FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY

MY TWO IPTS : SECRETARY OF STATE'S TALK WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER, NEW YORK, 25 SEPTEMBER : INCIDENT IN HONG KONG WATERS ON 25 SEPTEMBER

35

1. DRAWING ON HONG KONG TELNO 2410 (FOR WHICH MANY THANKS), THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOLD QIAN QICHEN THAT THERE HAD BEEN QUITE A SERIOUS INCIDENT EARLIER ON 25 SEPTEMBER INVOLVING ARMED CHINESE OFFICERS WHO HAD BOARDED A HONG KONG FISHING VESSEL IN HONG KONG WATERS. ONE OF THE CHINESE OFFICERS HAD THREATENED A HONG KONG POLICEMAN WHILE ON BOARD THE HONG KONG VESSEL.

2. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID THAT THE INCIDENT HAD CAUSED A GOOD DEAL OF ANXIETY IN HONG KONG. THE GOVERNOR REGARDED IT AS THE MOST DISTURBING FOR SOME TIME. IT WAS BEING RAISED THROUGH BORDER LIAISON AND OTHER LOCAL CHANNELS. HE WISHED ONLY TO DRAW IT TO QIAN'S ATTENTION.

3. QIAN TOOK NOTE. HE BELIEVED THE INCIDENT WOULD BE HANDLED BETWEEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

HE

4. AFTER THE MEETING THE SECRETARY OF STATE WAS ASKED BY JOURNALISTS WHETHER HE HAD PROTESTED ABOUT THE INCIDENT. SAID HE HAD MENTIONED IT, AND HAD POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD CAUSED A LOT OF DISQUIET IN HONG KONG. IT WAS BEING DISCUSSED LOCALLY WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES: BUT HE HAD THOUGHT IT RIGHT TO TELL QIAN OF FEELINGS IN HONG KONG.

HANNAY

YYYY

1

PAGE CONFIDENTIAL