TNAG-0052-FCO40-88-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 80

Conclusions

17. The activities of the communist schools

and press present the most dangerous problem

now facing the Hong Kong authorities, both in

the short and the long term. The communist

press still publishes a very considerable

number of seditious statements daily, but we

are inhibited from touching it: the last

time action was taken to curb the prese it

was followed by the attack on our Mission in

Peking. The activities of Chung Wah school

fully justify deregistration. To allow it tɖ

reopen would be another step in the erosion of

the authority of the Hong Kong Government

which would not escape public notice, with

damaging effect on public confidence;

it

would also badly hamper the Hong Kong

authorities in their efforts to curb the

spread and activities of the communist school

system. We feel that we must accept the

Governor's assessment of the importance, in the

domestic context, of proceeding to deregister

this school.

18.

There will undoubtedly be a Chinese

reaction, but it is not easy to assess the

degree or the form it will take. Deregistra

tion could be regarded as provocative by the

they are sensitive to any action

which they might regard as persecution of

communists:

their schools. If they genuinely feel

concern their reaction could be sharp,

although it must be tempered by the fact that

the circumstances in which the school was

closed are publicly known and that the action

taken was widely supported.

In any event it

/is likely

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