SECRET
Hong Kong telegram No.103 to Commonwealth Office
2
(h) A calm period on the border. Illegal immigration by sea continues but it is reported that C.T. fishermen have been threatened with death if they are caught helping escapers.
2. Ten minor schools were inspected by Education Department. In one the inspection had to be terminated early because of the behaviour of the students. In the remainder there were protests against government "persecution" and chanting of Mao slogans.
3. Travellers continue to report clashes in Canton suburbs and outbreaks of fighting in rural areas despite progress in forming "revolutionary great alliances".
4. The lorry driver incident is thought to have been a spontaneous demonstration by Communist lorry drivers who are normally concentrated in the area. It does underline the fact that any action by police or government to enforce the law against Communist supporters can result in a violent reaction by militants despite the present non violent policy. The Union protest visit to police H.Q. reflects the current drive by the leaders to persuade their followers that they have little to fear from the police and that the Unions are regaining their pre-confrontation status.
5.
There are indications that the rumours of negotiations in Peking are being discounted by some local Communists although the account at paragraph 1(d) could have serious repercussions.
6. It is too early to assess fully the significance of the return of senior local Communist leaders but it seems unlikely that it will result in any drastic change in policy, pending the current review by Peking of the situation here.
Foreign Office please pass Priority Peking 31.
Sir D. Trench
[Repeated as requested]
FILES
C.0. H.A. Dept.
I & G.Dept.
J.I.R.D.
PUB, & P.D.
Lefence Dept.
Mr. Hall
Private Secretary to Lord Shepherd
F.0.
F.E.D.
0.0.A.
PPPPP
Mr. Wilkinson
SECRET