SECRET
Cypher/Cat.A.
IMMEDIATE
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(AT.D.).
Telno. 1785 29 November, 1967.
SECRET
15
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 1785
of 29 November.
Repeated for information to B.H.C. Singapore.
624m HUDYN
14
For Commonwealth and Cabinet Office for JIC.
Following from LIC.
In accordance with my telegram No. 1745, commentary on the situation as at 30th November, 0600 hours follows, updating assessment in telegram 1771:-
The explosion in the Chung Wah Middle School and its subsequent closure was followed by police inspections carried out on 28th November at four Communist controlled schools to detect bomb making activity only (telegram 1779 refers). Students and staff of one school became unruly and 107 were detained for
The remaining questioning; 93 of them were later released. inspections resulted in the seizure of a number of 'hoax'bombs, a small quantity of explosive powder, and a few offensive weapons including imitation firearms. Eleven persons were arrested in connexion with these seizures,
2. The Communists have described Government's action against schools as a deliberately planned persecution of 'patriotic education'. They can be expected to exploit fully this line of propaganda in the hope of attracting some measure of support from China, and an upsurge in protest demonstrations by students is expected. However, the closure of the Chung Wah School and the police inspections have, undoubtedly, made it clear to Communist educationalists that Government intends to pursue a firm line and this may lead to a reduction in unlawful activity within schools, at least in the immediate future. It may also result in the withdrawal from these schools of some students whose parents are uncommitted politically.
3. We consider paragraphs 3 and 4 of JIC telegram 866 over- optimistic. Comments will follow as soon as possible.
Sir D. Trench
N
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