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revolution to Hong Kong.
The less fanatical among the communists may have been more concerned to
preserve the very real economic advantages that a stable and prosperous
But
Hong Kong has for Chine, and no doubt for themselves as well.
they could
not oppose confrontation without appearing to oppose the teachings of Chairman
Mao Tse Tung; they could only hope and do what they could to ensure that its
physical effects would be limited. The outbreaks of violence that have occurred
and the attempts that have been made to disrupt the economy of the Colony have
made it clear that they have been unable to restrain or effectively control
the more hot-headed elements among them, whose aim it is to dominate the
Government by any means. It was the latter who precipitated confrontation, as
a result of a comparatively minor incident arising from a labour dispute.
These involved four taxi
In the early months of the year industrial relations in the Colony were
generally good but there were a few disputes which had either been artificially
inspired by the communists or were the result of deliberate political
exploitation of a genuine industrial grievance.
companies, a textile factory, a cement company and the Hong Kong Artificial
Flower Works. The Hong Kong Seamen's Union was engaged in a dispute with a
shipping company and at the same time it continued its official boycott of
the Government Seamen's Recruiting Office. These disputes were all confined
to undertakings where there was a predominant or strong communist element in
the work force or where a communist trade union was involved.
Workers were
The tactics employed were identical in each case.
intimidated and threatened with physical violence. Attempts to settle the
disputes were deliberately frustrated by the injection of political issues,
expressed in the form of demands which were required to be accepted "uncondit-
ionally". These demands were followed by a succession of rowdy demonstrations,
designed to intimidate the management, in which slogans and extracts from
The attitude of the "The Thoughts of Mao Tse Tung" were chanted in unison. unions became increasingly truculent. A press photographer taking pictures of
a typical demonstration was attacked and a demand was made that his camera be
confiscated. Offers made by the Labour Department to mediate in disputes were
dismissed as 'unwelcome meddling'. It became clear that the extremist elements
among the communists might provoke a major clash at any moment.
The opportunity was provided on the 6th of May 1967. A group of dismissed
CONFIDENTIAL
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