TNAG-0005-FCO40-41-Departmental-briefs-about-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 151

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Note for COMMODE! 1th Sepratary

Developments in Hong Kong

48

A violent thunderstorm hit Hong Kong on the night of

12-13 June. Latest reports indicate that 19 ware killed and

13 are missing; there has been widespread damage to property

and a number of landslides on the steep hillsides. It is the

beginning of the typhoon season; this is a minor calamity by

Hong Kong standards.

Border Incident

2. Since the demonstration at Lowu on 29 and 30 May the

situation on the frontier has been quiet. The incident has

been the subject of discussions (held in a reasonable atmosphere)

with local representatives of the New China News Agency (NCKA)

who have implied that measures taken to strengthen British

forces in the border area as a result of the incident have

angered local peasants, thereby creating difficulties for the

Chinese border authorities. Hong Kong have replied in a

conciliatory manner and are returning, so far as seems prudent,

to normal dispositions in the area,

Local Communist Activities

3. There has been a marked increase recently in the number

and size of Communist delegations visiting Government departments

and private companies. They have made representations about

unemployment, the cost of living, release of Communist prisonera,

But their main purpose has been to try and secure the

reinstatement of hard-core Communist workers dismissed during

etc.

/last

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