TNAG-0040-FCO40-76-Border-incidents-with-China-1968 — Page 10

systems. These shortages, combined with the ordinary

citizen's general weariness with the continuing tribulations

of the Cultural Revolution, are said to have already

led to some lowering of morale, which, if accentuated,

could result in a mass exodus of emigrants from China

into the Colony, similar to that in 1962. However, the

C.C.A. appear to be well deployed to stop illegal

immigration and up to now their measures have proved

effective. Providing that this position is maintained

the possibility of an exodus on foot remains remote.

Illegal immigration across the land frontier is, therefore,

expected to continue at more or less its present low

level.

20.

Apart from the recent proposals to send gifts

of rice and clothing to their "persecuted compatriots",

so far the activities of the "Kwangtung People's Committee

for Supporting the Hong Kong and Kowloon Patriotic

Compatriots", formed in November, 1967, have been confined

to morale boosting through propaganda. There is no

indication of any extension of its present role.

Nevertheless, should the situation be timely or opportune

from their standpoint, this Committee could, of course,

have considerable influence over the conduct of the Militia

and other Chinese Territory border residents. However,

any major move would need official C.P.G. backing.

SPECIFIC THREATS

A Full Scale Military Attack Against the Colony

21.

Mention must be made of this possibility

and clearly such an attack could be mounted

SECRET