TNAG-0040-FCO40-76-Border-incidents-with-China-1968 — Page 71

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Reference : T.S. 4/60 II

5/241

Page No. of 15 Pages, Copy No.29 of 50 Copies.

Special Branch, Hong Kong Police.

Date: 25th March, 1968.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTERNAL THREAT TO SECURITY

IN THE BORDER AREA

INTRODUCTION

The progress of the Cultural Revolution in

China, the increasing accent on the teachings of MAO and

local communist confrontation with the Hong Kong Government

gave rise in June, 1967, to a new attitude amongst

residents of Chinese Territory in the Border Area. This

took the form of increased militancy on their part, a

desire to extend the propagation of the "Thoughts of MAO"

into British Territory and determined efforts to heighten

tension generally throughout the length of the Sino-

British Frontier. In short they wished to play a part in

the confrontation. Subsequent violent aspects of their

hostility necessitated a British Army presence which did

not exist before in the immediate Border Area. This

paper seeks to assess the present external threat in that

area.

GENERAL SITUATION IN THE BORDER AREA BEFORE CONFRONTATION

2.

The Border Area was generally peaceful in the

twelve months prior to the start of communist confrontation

with the Hong Kong Government in May, 1967.

However,

the residents of Chinese Territory were attending a

greater number of political meetings, and it became

increasingly apparent that the leaders of the communes

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