TNAG-0010-FCO40-46-Kowloon-disturbances-1986 — Page 124

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would need to be lent to the Hong Kong Government

for a period of between 6-12 months. He has asked

for the services of Miss S.A. Ogilvie (Assistant

Labour Adviser, Ministry of Overseas Development)

for this purpose.

13.

Available information suggests that the

disturbances of 6 May and later were not instigated

from China but occurred partly because control over

pro-Communist organisations in Hong Kong from

The

China had slackened and local leaders had taken the

initiative in acting in a militant fashion which

they believed to be in keeping with the present

atmosphere within China. Since the ✰ 15 May, however,

Peking has supported the Hong Kong pro-Communist

Chinese "demands" and after large scale demonstrations

in Peking and the xæk sacking of the office in

Shanghai have closed down the Shanghai Office. Russians (Moscow telegram 848 of 20 May) have also

begun to taunt Peking about the Chinese lack of

interest in undermining the colonial regime in Hong

Kong, trade with which yielded more than half China's

foreign currency earnings. The Chinese may

themselves also hope that by putting pressure on Hong

Kong they can prevent it being used by American

warships and leave personnel.

14. The dilemma we face is that determined and firm

action against the pro-Communist leaders and newspapers

in Hong Kong is essential if we are to retain control

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over