Ref : GEN/14/368/138
SECRET
Special Branch Police Headquarters, Hong Kong
9th November 1967
ACTION AGAINST THE COMMUNIST PRESS
REAPPRAISAL AS AT
9TH NOVEMBER, 1967
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1) CURRENT FACTORS
(&)
(b)
(c)
(a)
Press became extremely virulent during Hong Kong Week with calls for violence. Expressed approval of acts by 'bombers' which have caused deaths and injuries to Police Officers and members of the public. Some toning down in calls for violence over the past few days but can resuscitate at any time.
Stress still being laid on need to obtain broader base of support.
Although relative peaceful conditions may prevail throughout period of Autumn Trade Fair, possible that the C.M.A. Exhibition of Hong Kong Products or any other major local event may provide further excuse for calls for violence.
The departure of several leading local C.P.G. appointees for China towards the end of October. It is likely they are discussing local confrontation may return with instructions to quieten things down ; on other hand may come back with assurances of further support from China and therefore re- escalate on their return. If the latter, the press would, no doubt, play a leading role.
Situation on border relatively peaceful at present.
(e)
(f)
Supplies of food from China relatively normal Chinese authorities to maintain supply.
(g)
efforts by
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Negotiations regarding Senior Inspector KNIGHT and two Police Constables may resume - however if Chinese authorities realise the negotiations are inhibiting Government from taking action against communists in Hong Kong they may seek to prolong them indefinitely.
2)
LONG TERM FACTORS
Unchanged from those outlined in paper GEN/14/368/138 of the 19th October 1967.
3) CONCLUSIONS
The communist press has demonstrated that it is capable of switching on or off at will its calls for violent action and there is little doubt that it will continue to do so in future. It represents,
SECRET
... both