Memorandum given by the Foreign Office of China to the Counsellor of India, 3 November 1958
According to the report of the Chinese local authorities in Sinkiang, Frontier Guards of the Chinese liberation army stationed in the south western part of Sinkiang discovered in succession on September 8 and 12, 1958 two groups of Indian armed personnel at Tahungliutan and Kezrekirekan on the Sinkiang-Tibet road on Chinese territory. These personnel had clearly intruded into Chinese territory to conduct unlawful surveying activities within Chinese borders. They were therefore detained by the Chinese Frontier Guards. The two groups of personnel consisted of 3 Indian officers, and 4 soldiers and 8 employees. They carried with them 3 sten guns, one rifle, one pistol and radio sets, instruments for surveying and photographing and horses.
In addition since September this year Chinese Frontier Guards have more than once discovered Indian aircraft penetrating deep into the air space over south western part of Sinkiang of China to carry on reconnaissance and even circled low over Chinese garrisons.
The above-mentioned unlawful intrusions of Indian armed personnel and aircraft into Chinese territory and territorial air to conduct reconnoitering and surveying activities are inconsistent with Sino-Indian friendly relations and the Five Principles of peaceful co-existence initiated jointly by the two countries. The Chinese Government expresses deep regret at these happenings. The Chinese Government requests the Government of India to guarantee that no similar incidents will occur in the future.
As for the detained Indian armed personnel the Chinese Government in the spirit of Sino-Indian friendship has already ordered the military authorities concerned to deport them from Chinese territory through the Karakoram Pass on 22nd October.
Peking;
1 November, 1958
From: India. Ministry of External Affairs. Notes, Memoranda and Letters Exchanged between the Governments of India and China, 1954-1959. White Paper No. I. N.p., n.d., 28.