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one of theory rather than action. In recognising the difficulties which
might be presented by militant labour cadres' reaction to the current MAC's
directives concerning the paramount position of the workers, then being
promulgated throughout China, he commented that the Unions would be given
some leeway, but they would be watched very closely.
18.
During the second week in October the broad outline of a policy
directive, issued by C.P.G. Premier CHCU En Lai to the leader of a Hong
Kong delegation, which had just visited Feking and presented a report on the
local situation, was dissemminated to senior communists in the Colony. The
Premier had apparently laid down principles, to be followed in Hong Kong in
future, which had been formulated following a careful analysis of the situation
in the Colony. This analysis had disclosed the weaknesses in the communist
policy, which had demanded impossible concessions from the Hong Kong
Government, and the success of the latter's policy of restrained but firm
action. The directive stressed that while the 'struggle' against the Hong
Kong Government should continue, it must not stand in the way of future
Sino-British relations; where the British had made concessions no provocative
action, should be taken. Flexibility must be the key to communists tactics
in propagating MAC's Thoughts, thus reiterating to some extent the
instructions given earlier in the year (para 15 above). The difference
between conditions in China and Hong Kong and the need therefore for different
methods in studying and applying MAO's Thoughts are also emphasised again.
The principal tasks for the future are to win over the masses and further
patriotic education, at the same time excessive demands should not be made
and the strength of local communists must be nursed carefully. During the
meeting in Peking CHOU En Lai had apparently intimated that the C.P.G. were
considering releasing Grey, the Reuters correspondent detained in Peking
since July, 1967, apparently in the context of matters which should be
/resolved
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