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38.
This divergence of opinion developed into a prolonged power struggle which ended with WONG Chung-ping being replaced by CHEUNG Yat-fan as Chairmen of the Executive Committee. CHAN Hip-ping who came on the scene only in 1967 became Vice-chairman, WONG Chung-ping is still staying with the Committee as an Executive Committee member but very seldom attends committee meetings and functions. LEE Wai-kwan, the other Vice-Chairman was formerly Wong's supporter. Now that WONG has fallen from power, LEE has very little say in the
Committee.
39.
Although the power struggle in the Committee seems to have been over, there is evidence to demonstrate that the defeated faction is still attempting a return or is at least trying to undermine the already doubtful popularity of the current Executive Committee. In January 1974, posters appeared in the Walled City in the form of an open letter dated 11.1.1974 addressed to Walled City residents from residents of the New Year Celebration. Party. (20) The poster accused the existing Executive Committeo of bureaucratic practices, dishonesty in the use of funds, cheating Walled City residents, etc. Mr. CHAN Hip-ping's ne was mentioned. On the other hand, the poster extolled Mr. WOIG Chung-ping's past contribution to the Committee.
Political Potential of the Committee
40.
Despite its apparent ineffectiveness and lack of popular suppor in normal times, the Committee must not be ignored for its political potential. Apart from being the only political organisation existent in the Walled City, the Committee enjoys recognition by other left-wing bodies in the Colony and nost important of all by the New China News Agency, and from this a be inferred that the activities of this Committee can be noded by policy directives from the Peking Government. In previous cases, there was evidence showing that the Committee worked in close consultation with the NCNA. In January 1973,
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