SECRET
Special Branch
Hong Kong Police.
18th July, 1968
Commentary on Interview Between My, HO Yin,
Hr. Paul TSUI, Hon. S.C.A. Mr. F. K. LI, Establishment Officer
on
2nd July, 1968
On the 2nd July, 1968, HO Yin, a prominent pro-communist Macau business- man entertained two senior Government officers to lunch at a private flat in Hong Kong. In the course of this party HC made a number of points regarding the present political situation in Hong Kong. On this topic he opened with a remark to the effect that the troubles in Hong Kong had been a direct result of the Cultural Revolution in China which had resulted in the local communist leaders being compelled to allow more freedom to the "masses". Forecasting that troubles of one kind or another were likely to continue in Hong Kong, HC went on to advise that it would be very foolish to assume the economic benefits which China gaina from the Colony were vital to China's survival. He suggested that China could afford to spend more on Confrontation should she choose so to do. To ease the situation in the Colony HO suggested that the Hong Kong Government release people detained under the Emergency Regulations, permit the import of the "comfort rice", re-instate the "striking" workers and refrain from "beating up" people who are arrested. In conclusion he stressed he was not acting in any official capacity but was merely expressing his can views. The following paragraphs set cut com- ments on the principal features of Mr. O's observations.
2.
No-one could dispute that the Macau incident in December, 1966, and the Communist Confrontation with the Hong Kong Government in 1967 were the direct result of the Cultural Revolution in China. The effect of the Cultural Revolution, both inside China itself and in the periphery territories of Hong Kong and Macau on communist officials has been considerable; nevertheless, it is considered that HC Yin is somewhat overstating the case when he claims that no-one, other than possibly MAC himself, dares to say no to a proposition which can be interpreted as being in the interests of the masses. Indeed, recent events in Hong Kong in connection with reinstatement have demonstrated clearly that the communists are currently more interested in economic realities than, "consideration for the masses".
3.
As far as Hong Kong is concerned there is no evidence that "convincing"
theories had to be tried cut before they were abandoned. Indeed, the use of bombs
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SECRET
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