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31.
Action has centred on supporting the protests of other aggrieved sections of the community, with attempts being made to arouse public interest in the complaints of those concerned against authority which in Hong Kong usually means the Government. Examples are the cross-harbour tunnel workers, nurses, blind workers, and groups of squatters or hawkers being cleared. The action has had some success with the people principally involved, particularly when concessions seem to have been won, and has at times engendered limited public sympathy.
Trends
32.
Present trends, and experience in other
parts of the world, suggest that as economic conditions in Hong Kong continue to improve, young people here will become more concerned with political and social issues.
33.
There are other reasons to anticipate growing concern. For one thing, a few secondary school students have already taken part in protest moves and more groups of associations (though not formal unions) are being organized within schools, often with the blessing of the school authorities: so the next generation of post-secondary students will be more active than the present. For another, there is considerable pressure on Hong Kong students from radical groups of Chinese students in North American universities and from local activists. If and when militants return here increased pressure must be expected. The main body of student opinion represented by the Hong Kong Federation of Students may thus have to become more radical to avoid being outflanked by extremists.
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Morover the extremists themselves a tiny minority with an influence out of proportion to their numbers may show a greater willingness to organize protest even if this means sacrificing their careers, and regardless of measures taken to improve services or to effect greater social justice.
34.
There are nevertheless no present indications of a move towards violence, and few are likely to advocate the methods used by the New Left to achieve their aims in other countries. For a while, indeed, the great majority may not actively participate at all. But they will often be sympathetic to, and show moral support for, individual causes which are espoused; and if, as is happening,
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