TNAG-0005-FCO40-41-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 140

I

CONFIDENTIAL

R131d

PA on m

عليكم

internal briefing

ANG

16.6.68

57

Note for Visit of HD. Mason, Assistant Under-Secretary

of State to Hong Kong in June 1968.

General

Current Aspects of Communist Penetration

Since the end of last year, the local communists

have continued to avoid violence in their programme of

confrontation with the authorities. They have, however,

kept up their criticisms of and attacks on the Government;

using whatever means may have come to hand and the local

communist press has continued with its anti-Government

propaganda. Minor incidents are from time to time

provoked by communist sympathisers on occasions when the

police go about their normal duties such as traffic

control and the enforcement of the laws relating to

hawkers. A recent development has been a marked increase

in the number and size of communist delegations visiting

Government Departments and private companies. This matter

is dealt with below in more detail.

forts to secure reinstatement of communist workers

2+ In the urban areas there has been a series of visits

by communist delegations to Government Departments and

private companies. These delegations have recently shown

a considerable increase in size and numbers. They have

made representations about such matters as unemployment

generally, the cost of living and the release of

prisoners. But their main purpose has been to try and

secure the reinstatement of workers who were dismissed for

CONFIDENTIAL

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