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Communist Press
Communist Schools
indefinitely in their efforts to undermine the authority of
the Government and to win over the general public to their
own side.
15. A number of long term communist prisoners are still
serving sentences for their part in the disturbances of 1967
30 (they were 25 in number at the end of July, 1971) and must
constitute a continuing point of friction in Sino-Hong Kong
relations. There is little local pressure for their release
at present and the Hong Kong communists seem resigned to the
likelihood that the prisoners will have to serve out their
sentences less normal remission. But for prestige reasons
and the morale of their local supporters the CPG cannot afford
to forget these prisoners and it undoubtedly remains their
objective to secure their release.
16. The CPG are especially sensitive about the attitude of
the Hong Kong Government towards the local communist press
which not infrequently publishes subversive material.
The
last occasion on which the Government took action to curb the
press was immediately followed by the sacking of our Mission
in Peking (in August, 1967).
17. The aggregate enrolment in Communist schools is expected
to increase from a total of 28,197 in March 1970 to over 30,000
pupils by the end of 1971. This will represent less than 3%
of the Colony's total school population. The Communists have
a captive clientele in the families of active communist
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/supporters,
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