GR 1125 Original at:
This Copy for:
HKK 014/1
SECRET
SFCR Enformation only/Action on
Para(s)
FM HONG KONG 091145Z JAN 79
Alo enter infacts
affoforst outgut fits
on
TO PRIORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELNO.66 OF 9 JANUARY,
in
24371
везидеси Сья
VA. $1
69
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, CANBERRA, SINGAPORE, Nes
INFO SAVING WELLINGTON.
I
PLEASE PASS TO CABINET OFFICE FOR SECRETARY J.1.C.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE L.I.C ASSESSMENT FOR DECEMBER 1978.
CHINESE COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES.
1. LI QIANG (LI CHIANG), THE CHINESE MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE,
VISITED HONG KONG BETWEEN 14 AND 21 DECEMBER IN TRANSIT BACK TO
CHINA FROM THE PHILIPPINES. DURING HIS VISIT HE EMPHASISED
HONG KONG'S ROLE IN CHINA'S MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.
2. THE FLIGHTS BETWEEN CANTON AND HONG KONG HAVE BEEN EXTENDED
UNTIL 28 FEBRUARY AND NOW OPERATE ON A TEMPORARY SCHEDULED BASIS,
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE.
3. N.C.N.A CFFICIALS HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT REINSTATING
A THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN CANTON AND HONG KONG.
4. THE CHINA MERCHANTS STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT HAS
BEEN FURTHER STRENGTHENED BY THE ARRIVAL OF TEN MORE SHIP-BUILDING
EXPERTS WHO ARE TO STAY FOR ONE YEAR.
LABOUR.
5. THERE ARE TEN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING
SOME 9,000 EMPLOYEES IN DISPUTE WITH GOVERNMENT OVER CONDITIONS
OF SERVICE, PROMOTION OR PAY. THE COMMUNIST-DOMINATED G.A.F.H.C.W (GOVERNMENT, ARMED FORCES AND HOSPITAL CHINESE WORKERS' UNION) WHICH REPRESENTS LOWER-PAID HOSPITAL WORKERS HAS SUBMITTED A
LOW-KEY CLAIN ON BEHALF OF ITS MEMBERS. THE UNION'S APPROACH IS
CONCILIATORY AND MODERATE, IN KEEPING WITH THE COMMUNIST FEDERATION OF TRADES UNION'S (FTU) POLICY.
SECRET
16.
ONE