Page
THE DAVID DAVIES MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES. CASE STUDY OF DISTURBANCES IN HONG KONG IN 1967
file
Comments of Far Eastern Department and Hong Kong Department
on Case Study.
Paragraph 1. The intention of the Communists was not to make the Hong Kong Government show deference to Peking, although this was undoubtedly one element. The aim was to force the Hong Kong Government to concede to the local Communists a significant part in decision making in the Colony, to seize for themselves a privileged position, to humiliate the Hong Kong Government and to justify themselves as true revolutionaries in the eyes of Peking (which was then in the throes of the
cultural revolution.
Paragraph 2.first sentence It is not true to say that the steady deterioration in Sino-British relations was the background to the situation. Rather was the deterioration
in relations the result and not the cause of the Hong Kong
disturbances.
Paragraph 2. last sentence This is, of course, only an expression of opinion but it is not one which is shared by this office. In our view the disturbances were not caused
by orders from Peking, they were the result of a spontaneous disturbance by the local Communists who saw in the cultural revolution inside China, justification for extremist action in the Colony. They may even have felt obliged to demonstrate their revolutionary fervour so as not to be criticised for
inaction.
Paragraph 3 It is an over-simplification to suggest that Hong Kong was used as a reluctant target in the cultural revolution. By the time that the Hong Kong crisis flared up the Chinese were already quarreling with the Russians and other nations. It is true that they used their disputes
with foreign countries in an attempt to achieve national
unity.
But this was only a side issue in the main
international cultural revolution which went on in full
spate throughout the Hong Kong crisis.
Page 3 last 3 lines It was not overcrowded living accommodation which caused the demonstrations. It would be more accurate to say that overcrowded living conditions created a physical situation in which large crowds could
/2....