A CONFIDENTIAL Security Branch memo to the Governor, Mr Chris Patten, plays down the impact of piracy and repeated harassment of Vietnamese shipping on Hongkong's status, and has angered Marine Department and shipping industry officials.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Alistair Asprey, sent the brief, obtained by the South China Morning Post, to Government House on Tuesday offering ''the line to take''.
It outlined the importance of ''distinguishing between piracy and interceptions'' and said interceptions by Chinese authorities in Chinese waters were outside Hongkong's jurisdiction.
The memo said the impact had been ''largely limited'' to small coastal trade and noted only two recent attacks of piracy near Hongkong. This contradicts Marine Department figures that list at least 18 piracy cases in the South China Sea so far this year.
''Hongkong's status as a port should not be hindered,'' the memo said. ''Incursions do occur but police liaison is good and effective. Incidents kept to a minimum.'' The paper mentioned high tariffs on consumer goods imported into China but said nothing of smuggling on the Hongkong to Vietnam trade route, which has been targeted by Chinese gunboats waiting just outside territorial waters.
The brief comes as Hongkong shipping agents seek news on three Vietnamese ships seized on Thursday night trying to sail past Chinese boats waiting in a convoy.
A Scarbrook Shipping spokesman said he believed the ships had been seized in illegal actions, as the goods on board were destined for southern Vietnam.