TNAG-0004-FCO40-40-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 47

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BRIEF FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY'S DISCUSSION

WITH THE FOREIGŃ SECRETARY

Friday, 16 February, 1968

Mr. Gammara

Situation in

Hong Kong

Long Term

cudy on the

Future of

Hong Kong

Detention of

Reuter

Correspondent

in Peking

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES NO,

HONG KONG

With the cessation of violence in December, the

communist campaign in Hong Kong has entered a new phase:

that of a prolonged non-violent "political" struggle, with the object of cultivating the support of the "masses".

The indications are that this change in policy coincided

with the re-establishment by the C.P.G. of its control

over the local communists. There seems little doubt that

the achievement of a Macao-type situation in Hong Kong

remains the ultimate objective.

20FEB 1968

2.

The long-term study on the future of Hong Kong which

is being undertaken by officials is at an advanced stage

of preparation but is still the subject of inter-departmental

consultation.

3. The position of Mr. Grey, Reuter correspondent in

Peking who has been held incommunicado under house arrest

for several months is causing some concern.

The Chinese

are clearly relating his case to the position of communist

prisoners in Hong Kong. We have made and are continuing

to make efforts :-

(a)

to arrange access to him in return for special visits to NCNA (and possibly other) prisoners in

Hong Kong, who unlike Grey have been allowed

normal visiting privileges;

to exchange Grey for one or more NCNA prisoners.

(b)

HWA

R&??

P.A on untional briefing file

ANG

is.

20.4.

14.