CONFIDENTIAL
- 6·
Illegal Border Crossers
31. be
As a general
rule, any person who claims to a TBC but who cannot produce the requisite documents should be arrested and returned to China as an illegal immigrant.
32.
The Chinese Authorities, however, also issue 'Temporary Sea Going Permits' (blue colour cards) to those residents who fish in Deep Bay and Mirs bay and land their catch in Hong Kong. These permits only entitle the holder to land on the foreshore usually at Lau Fau Shan, Ha Wan,
Pak Hok Chau and Sha Tau Kok. This restriction has been enforced since 1981.
The Frontier Closed Area (FCA)
33.
The area adjacent to the land border is a closed area, by declaration of the Governor under Section 36 of the Public Order Ordinance.
The Security Forces are thus able to operate without undue hindrance and the risk of members of the public causing border incidents or indulging in smuggling or trafficking in IIs is diminished.
34.
A curfew is imposed in the FCA between midnight and 4 a.m. FCA permits are only issued to those who live there or have a genuine need to go there. Security Branch Circular No. 3/85 sets out the details.
THE SQUARE BOX
The Status Quo
35.
There is tacit acceptance by HKG and the Chinese authorities:
(a)
of the square box (including Deep Bay and Mirs Bay) as generally delineating Hong Kong's operational limits (Police and other HKG vessels operate only within the square box; Royal Navy ships patrol within the box and beyond in accordance with international law; all vessels pass around the western tip of Lantau and south west of Tai A Chau);
CONFIDENTIAL
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