CONFIDENTIAL
}
Shy? They, ere not normally Every in forenled fim the fate of
Just people.
Is it love of
since May, 1967.
4. The origins of this situation do not require detailed
rehearsal. Last summer during a particularly violent phase
of the Cultural Revolution the Chinese Government, no doubt
encouraged by their carlier success in humiliating the
Fortuguese in Macao and possibly led on by their extremist
supporters in Canton and Hong Kong, gave open backing for a
communist campaign of demonstrations and violence designed to
intimidate the Hong Kong Government. Though the campaign
failed, thanks to the firmness and flexibility of the Hong
Kong Government, and violence was called off last December,
confrontation continues and the various Chinose demands
addressed to the Hong Kong Government have not been withdrawn
or allowed to lapsc. The disputo now centres around the
communist prisoners (some 700 in all) held as a result of
last year's disturbances, whom the Chinese Government wish
to see released. Exchanges between the British and Chinese
jace (see parabi, Governments in March and April have not led to any progress.
for they diet hope chiavi a Oneno рана
A
jma 8)?
The present state of our relations is the result.
Will Confrontation End of Itself?
5.
It is important here to dispose of the theory that
confrontation is a merely temporary aberration, a reflection of
the more violent phase of the Cultural Revolution, and that
as more restrained counsels come to prevail among Chinese
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/leaders