TNAG-0033-FCO40-69-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 131

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(f) No action to close major communist schools, other than the

Chung Wah Middle School where bombe exploded, although there was evidence of their staff and students' involvement in

violent activities;

(g) No general move to deregister communist unions or associations,

although many have ceased to meet the requirements of the law and in some cases strong grounds exist, through their involve- ment in violent phases of last year;

(h) No restrictions placed on the movement between Hong Kong and

China of Communist officials.

(i) Since the beginning of confrontation C.T. farmers have been involved in a number of incidents on the Border; apart from Sha Tau Kok, these occurred mainly at Lo Wu, Ta Ku Ling and particularly Man Kam To where they were supported by coolies, also from C.T. and involved attacks on security forces, the abduction of one Police officer and serious injury to another and the seizure of hostages and weapons from security forces. Throughout the tension and dangerous situations so caused, security forces behaved with great restraint and thus avoided what might have become a major escalation. During the whole of this time, apart from a period from mid-October to the end of November, 1967, when the bridge at Man Kam To was closed following the abduction of the Police officer, no restriction was placed on the entry of these farmers into B.T. despite the trouble they had caused.

(j) Arrest warrants issued in December, 1967, for six staff of the

Hon Wah Middle School who failed to pay fines imposed by the courts were not pursued to the extent of raiding the school or

staff premises;

(k) Rent for a G.I.S. teleprinter in the premises of the Hong Kong Evening News was waived for the period from 21st August, 1967, the date of suspension of the newspaper, to 18th January, 1968, the date on which the teleprinter was repossessed;

(1) Supervision Orders in respect of released communist prisoners

not enforced to the extent of raiding communist premises to effect arrest when the supervisees fail to comply with the

orders;

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/(m) Communists...