South China Morning Fost
Wednesday 16th August, 1972
Communist influence in Colony expands
Hongkong's communists are gradually but successfully increasing their infiltra- tion into banking, trade and trade unions.
Since the 1967 disturbances, the communists have steadfastly been concentrating on these three important sectors.
A recent survey into the growth of trades unions shows the increasing grip that left - wing leaders have on the Hongkong labour force.
At the beginning of 1968, the communists claimed membership of 126,000 workers in leftist unions.
By July of this year, this number had increased to 150,000, a jump of about 24,000 workers.
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increase they describe as spectacular.
The volume of trade carried out by the 55 communist stores in the Colony has grown apace with the banking industry increase.
The Chinese Merchandise Emporium is believed to have made a clear profit of more than $1 million last year, with all debts and expenses paid.
The Chinese Goods Centre doubled daily turnover since 1968 and Chung Kiu Company handles at least $16 million a year.
What is
has more significant is the rise of paid-up members, the real measure of support. In the same four and a half years, the paid-up membership almost doubled from 65,800 to 115,000.
The increase came mostly in unions affiliated to the communist-controlled Federation of Trade Unions, unions that are fully committed to leftist causes.
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Another indication of increasing support for leftist 1S the increase in circulation of left-wing newspapers, which now have a daily circulation of about 300,000, an increase of 16.5 per cent in four years.
In banking, the communists now control about 20 per cent of all banking facilities. Three new communist banks have opened in the past year.
Although no accurate assessment of communist banking turnover is available, knowledgeable sources say it is about $1,600 million,
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The sources say the increase in trade between Hongkong and China is welcomed, but point out that the inroads being made into the control of Hongkong's commerce should not unnoticed.
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In one basic industry, the communists have gained almost total domination. That is in fishing, with all but 400 of Hongkong-registered fishing boats also having dual registration with China. These 3,150 vessels with dual registration are regarded as being fully controlled by communists.
The Castle Peak Fisher- men's Office, a communist organisation, has total control of all vessels working out of Castle Peak Bay.
In the vital field of education, the communists are patiently building up influence students.
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The percentage is still not large but has doubled since 1968. There are now about 40,000 declared communist students.
In the school-building field, the communists have opened 70 new schools since 1968. Only 25 of these have applied for registration and it seems the remainder obviously intend to continue business with or without official registration.
There is a simple message in these figures: the communists are determined to continue their efforts to enlarge their influence in labour, commerce and education.
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