HONG KONG has demanded the immediate release of two residents captured by mainland security forces during an unauthorised incursion in territory waters.
It is understood Political Adviser Robert Peirce presented a detailed objection to China's representatives at Xinhua (the New China News Agency).
Mr Peirce's presentation included photographs of last week's confrontation, precise times and co-ordinates of the incursion by the Chinese gunboat and a demand the Hong Kong crew and vessels be returned immediately.
He also requested an investigation into how the Chinese vessel drifted 13 kilometres into Hong Kong waters last Saturday.
Following the South China Morning Post's report on the incident yesterday, the Security Branch said: 'We have expressed to the Chinese authorities through the New China News Agency our serious concern about this incident and asked them to investigate it urgently. We have also requested the immediate return to Hong Kong of the vessels and crew. We also encouraged the Chinese side to take firm measures to prevent further such episodes.' More details of the hijacking last Saturday - and an armed standoff between Marine Police and the boat commanded by Chinese Border Security Forces - emerged yesterday.
Marine Police were alerted at 9 am after taking a message from the Hong Kong tug that it had been boarded by armed uniformed officers near High Island.