SECRET
Hong Kong telegram No. 1652 to Commonwealth Office
L
3
6
The level of bomb activity during the week, the highest since the visit of Lord Shepherd, was obviously designed to disrupt 'Hong Kong week". This was seen by the Communists as a move aimed at China in two ways, namely a manifestation of Governments alleged desire to make Hong Kong a 'nation' and also a drive to sell Hong Kong goods to the detriment of China products. The approach of the opening of the Canton Fair on 15 November may presage some decrease in violent activity, at least in the immediate future, and so far the formation last week of the Kwangtung Committee has not resulted in any practical support from China. However, the senior Communist leaders who left the colony last week are still in China and the next steps in the confrontation with the Hong Kong Government may still be under review. Clearly the use of bombs, both real and 'hoax' is now the major weapon of the local Communists, and one which, from their standpoint, combines the maximum effect upon the life of the colony with the minimum effort on their part. It must be expected therefore that they will resort to these measures whenever they feel obliged to demonstrate their opposition to Government overtly.
୬
C.O. please pass Priority Washington as my tele gram No. 363 and Canberra as my 137.
Sir D. Trench
FILES
[Repeated as requested]
[Passed to Cabinet Office]
C.O. H.K.D.
I. & G.D.
F.E.P.D.
J.I.PG.D.
J.I.R.D.
Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. Hall
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
F.O. F.E.D.
bbbbb
O.L.A.
O.P.A.
Mr de la Mare
SECRET