TNAG-2673-FCO40-3870-Hong-Kong-defence-issues-Internal-Security-Guide-(ISG)-1993 — Page 375

CONFIDENTIAL

PART I

THE BORDER

POLICY NOTES

17

INTRODUCTION

These those involved sea borders.

notes are intended to give guidance to in operations on Hong Kong's land and

BACKGROUND

2.

In May 1981, the Border Liaison System was brought into being to deal with matters of mutual concern in the frontier area. Then, in April 1982, an agreement was signed by the Political Adviser and the Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Municipality "further to facilitate contacts between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and to promote prosperity in the two places".

3.

The agreement covered the development of new border crossings, the re-development of the two

· existing crossings and the establishment of four Joint Working Groups to oversee progress.

རྩྭ

4.

These developments

have changed the

atmosphere on the border. In 1980, there was still a (relatively remote) risk of serious confrontation. There was no official link with the Shenzhen authorities, all official communication had to be directed through NCNA.

5.

Now, although

misunderstandings remain a

possibility, there is a spirit of cooperation and understanding with Shenzhen and a well-tried channel to handle incidents if they occur.

In the new situation, which is still evolving, it would be hard to frame a comprehensive border policy paper of the 1980 type.

6.

However, some guidance may be useful for those in Government departments, and the Security Forces who are responsible for operations and activities on the land frontier (and also on our sea boundaries and in the air).

CONFIDENTIAL

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