and the main student associations remain under the control of moderates,
the dissidents were becoming increasingly vociferous and self-confident
and, if they had been permitted to continue with their activities, they
would almost certainly have increased their student following. It would
be foolish to imagine that the threat from dissident expatriates has been
completely broken; there will undoubtedly be further waves of activity
but it is to be hoped that the inherent conservatism of the Chinese
student in Hong Kong, coupled with Government action when and where
possible, will prevent the exhibition of 'student power' which has been
seen in so many other countries.
CONFIDENTIAL