CONFIDENTIAL
CR 1/2856/69.
Mr Wilsey/ 4.2/2. hir Gaming (He Deger) Enter
23rd January, 1970.
16
4
TANG Chuen
The sequence of events which followed Tang's death in hospital on 29th December is given in the telegrams, but you might like to have an additional note on the current flavour of the situation.
2.
The protest delegation (Hong Kong telegram No.9) have not returned for an answer to their four demands (Hong Kong telegram No.4 paragraph 3). The left-wing press has remained quiet except that on 20th January the Wen Wei Pao and the Ta Kung Pao both claimed that Tang's death was due to persecution. This reflected an internal propaganda campaign in communist circles here, which had very little ɔverspill, in which a pamphlet on the life and works of Tang was circulated for study.
3.
I do not think we shall hear much more of Tang for the moment. It is in nobodys interest to force matters to an issue just now. At the same time we have probably not heard the last. The local communists have established him to their own satisfaction as a martyr; they also have demands outstanding which can be revived at their convenience and linked to the circumstances of any 1967 prisoners who may still be in jail at the time. Any future revival of interest
in Tang's death will have to be looked at as an indication of deterioration in the present rather tranquil internal
But for the moment the issue seems to be shelved.
situation.
G.G.H. Walden, Esq., PEKING.
c.c. L.V. Appleyard, Esq.,
Far Eastern Dept.,
F.C.O.
(C.J. Howells)
Assistant Political Adviser.
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51 -EFEB 1970