CONFIDENTIAL
Background Note
The disturbances in Hong Kong which began on 6 May
After originated from a series of industrial disputes.
demonstrations and obstructive picketing had led to
intervention by the police and arrest the union concerned
put forward demands for the immediate release of workers
arrested, compensation and punishment of the police invol-
ved and no interference by the police in labour disputes
in future. The pro-communist press endorsed these demands
and accused the police of unnecessary brutality when they
had in faot behaved with exemplary moderation.
2.
The
On 15 May the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement castigating the Hong Kong authorities for "Fascist atrocities" hostility to the Chinese people
and "collusion with the United States imperialists". statement included a demand that Her Majesty's Government should instruct the Hong Kong Government to accept all the local pro-communist demands. Subsequently there were large scale demonstrations outside the Office of H.M.
Chargé d'Affaires in Poking. The house of the First Secretary in Shanghai was ransacked and he was submitted
The Chinese authorities to various forms of humiliation.
have so far refused to allow another officer to visit Shanghai and permit Mr. Hewitt to be withdrawn temporarily to Peking. If he is withdrawn without a replacement this
may result in the closure of the Office in Shanghai.
3.
Strong oral and written protests have been delivered in Peking by H.M. Chargé d'Affaires about the action against his Office and that in Shanghai.
All have been
rejected. The Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in
London was summoned on 16 May to receive a similar protest
/which
CONFIDENTIAL