TNAG-0053-FCO40-89-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 42

SECRET

CYPHER/CAT A

MMEDIATE

TELEGRAM NUMBER

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

1499

TO HONG KONG

5 SEPTEMBER 1968

(HONG KONG)

SECRET.

ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 1429 OF 5 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING.

FOLLOWING FROM MASON.

YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 1032 AND PEKING TELEGRAM MUMBER 813.

VE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WARNING THAT PUBLIC APPREHENSION IS DEVELOPING OVER QUESTION OF COMMUNIST SCHOOLS AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO CONSIDER TAKING ACTION, WHILE WE FULLY RECOGNISE LONG-TERM AND. INDEED SHORT-TER, DANGERS INHERENT IN PROLIFERATION OF COMMUNIST SCHOOLS AS WELL AS UNSETTLING EFFECT UPON HONG KONG CHINESE WHOSE STAUNCHNESS DURING LAST YEAR'S CONFRONTATION WAS SUCH A VALUABLE SOURCE OF STRENGTH TO YOU, WE ARE SURE YOU WILL AGREE THAT IMPLIC- ATIONS UPON OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA OF OVERT ACTION TO RESTRICT DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNIST SCHOOLS WILL REQUIRE THE MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BY MINISTERS.

2. WE THINK IT WOULD BE VALUABLE IF YOU COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CARTER'S PRESENCE IN HONG KONG TO BRIEF HIM ON THIS PROBLEM. IN PARTICULAR IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON:-

(A) THE PROSPECT OF ATTRACTING CHILDREN OF COMMUNIST FAMILIES TO NON-COMMUNIST SCHOOLS

(B) THE EXTENT TO WHICH COMMUNIST SCHOOLS ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT CHILDREN OF NON-COMMUNIST FAMILIES:

(C) METHODS OPEN TO YOU TO CURB THE OPENING OF NEW SCHOOLS AND TO RESTRICT THE ACTIVITIES OF EXISTING ONES.

CROSEC

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O. H.K. DEPARTMENT,

F.0.

F.E. & P.D.

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT.

O.P.A.

NEWS DEPARTMENT

F.E.D.

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT.

P.U.S.D.

NEWS DEPARTIENT

DIS. K.O.D.

ви

LAST

REF

15 Mr Carter on 25.9.68.

Av. G

9.9.68

XXXXX

SECRET

لاقا