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20
HONG KONG
Committee considered a memorandum by the Secretary of State
for Commonwealth Affairs (OPD(67) 39) on the situation in Hong Kong.
THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said that arising out of labour troubles major disturbances had occurred in Hong Kong linked with hostile demonstrations in Shanghai and Peking and with the expulsion of our representative in Shanghai. It appeared that recent development in China's "cultural revolution" had resulted in a loosening of control by mainland China of the communists in Hong Kong. It was not known how far the Government of the People's Republic of China, to whom our presence in Hong Kong brought considerable economic benefits, had now decided to go in bringing pressure on us. They might to seeking a propaganda victory as the price for calling off the disturbances, or trying to force us to accept a position of subservience on the lines which the Portuguese had had to accept in Macao, or they might even have decided to drive us out of Hong Kong completely. There were now indications, however, that the mainland Chinese were seeking to restrain the Communists in Hong Kong. We could not resist a determined attempt to force us out altogether, nor could we tolerate a situation similar to that in Macao.
Our resistance
A study to the latter might compel China to resort to driving us out. of the implications of a sudden withdrawal from Hong Kong should not be set in hand. Our immediate responsibility, however, was to maintain law and order and keep up moralo and confidence so that Hong Kong's economy could continue to flourish. This would require firm action but we should avoid as far as possible action which China would regard as provocative. The commando carrier, H.M.S. Bulwark, was being sent to Hong Kong, and the Governor had already been authorised to neutralise several of the buildings from which the Chinese campaign against us was being conducted by loudspeakers. The Governor should now be given authority to arrest and, if possible deport a few (limited to two or three in the first instance), of the known leaders of the present campaign. The Governor should also be, given a general authority to take emergency powers to close down the printing press of the principal communist newspaper in Hong Kong, subject to consulting him (the Commonwealth Secretary) on each individual case. should also press the Governor to introduce extensive and long overdue improvements in the labour legislation including shortening hours of work of women and young persons. In the background of our difficulties with China lay their irritation at the facilities which the United States
We
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