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would need to be lent to the Hong Kong Government
for a period of between 6-12 months. He has asked
for the services of Miss S.A. Ogilvie (Assistant
Labour Adviser, Ministry of Overseas Development)
for this purpose.
13.
Available information suggests that the
disturbances of 6 May and later were not instigated
from China but occurred partly because control over
pro-Communist organisations in Hong Kong from
The
China had slackened and local leaders had taken the
initiative in acting in a militant fashion which
they believed to be in keeping with the present
atmosphere within China. Since the ✰ 15 May, however,
Peking has supported the Hong Kong pro-Communist
Chinese "demands" and after large scale demonstrations
in Peking and the xæk sacking of the office in
Shanghai have closed down the Shanghai Office. Russians (Moscow telegram 848 of 20 May) have also
begun to taunt Peking about the Chinese lack of
interest in undermining the colonial regime in Hong
Kong, trade with which yielded more than half China's
foreign currency earnings. The Chinese may
themselves also hope that by putting pressure on Hong
Kong they can prevent it being used by American
warships and leave personnel.
14. The dilemma we face is that determined and firm
action against the pro-Communist leaders and newspapers
in Hong Kong is essential if we are to retain control
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over