TNAG-0053-FCO40-89-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 8

Sir D. Allen

CONFIDENTIAL

COMMUNIST SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG

Mr. Carter

(C.o.)

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Problem

At the end of August the Governor of Hong Kong reported

that some public apprehension was building up at the

Government's generally lenient attitude towards Communist

schools. He warned that before very long he might be obliged

to take overt and fairly direct action perhaps at short notice

to curb both the opening of new schools and the activities of

those already established (Hong Kong telegram No. 1032).

This provoked a strong reaction from the Chargé d'Affaires

in Peking who pointed out that action on these lines would

constitute an important change in policy and would probably

have serious repercussions on Sino-British relations (Peking

Flag telegram No. 813). A holding telegram was sent to the

Governor saying that while we recognised the inherent dangers

in the proliferation of Communist schools any overt action

of the kind proposed would require most careful consideration

by Ministers. It was also suggested that advantage could

be taken of the presence in Hong Kong of the Head of the Hong

Kong Department of the Commonwealth Office to discuss various

practical problems, including measures which the Governor

might take against Communist schools (Commonwealth Office

telegram No. 1429). The Governor has now replied answering

the questions raised and setting out these measures (Hong Kong

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telegram No. 1067). We have to decide whether further

guidance should be sent to Hong Kong and Peking at this

stage.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that

(a) The Governor be asked in present circumstances not to

take further action against Communist schools but if

there are developments which, in his opinion, makes

action unavoidable to let us have as much notice as

possible so that the matter can be considered by

Ministers.

(b) The measures which the Governor might wish to take should

be further examined after he comes to London for

consultation on 17 October. I attach a draft telegram.

A parallel submission is being made in the Commonwealth

Office.

Background

3.

Communist schools have existed in Hong Kong since soon

after World War II. Until recently these schools (which are

required to comply with the provisions of the Education

Ordinance) operated in an unexceptionable manner; they

provided some education, und political indoctrination did not

go beyond the point allowed in a tolerant society. Until

very recently the total number of such schools was twenty and

their aggregate enrolment amounted to some 1.9 per cent of

the entire school population of the Colony.

Since the

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Cultural Revolution in China and more particularly during

1967, political indoctrination in these schools has been

greatly intensified, and they have become to a much greater

extent than previously breeding grounds of hatred and

opposition to the authorities. The extra-mural activities

of pupils at these schools during the latter part of 1967

were a clear indication of the effect of their classroom

between 1 september and 28 November, 1967,

indoctrination:

112 of their pupils were arrested for such offences as

possession of offensive weapons, or real or fake bombs, or

of inflammatory posters; forming part of intimidating

assemblies; and obstruoting the police in the performance of

their duties. Indeed, one of the leading Communist schools

in Hong Kong, the Chung Yah School, was de-registered by the

authorities on 14 August, 1963, for having been implicated

in activities of this kind.

Recent Developments.

4. The Governor reported early in August (Hong Kong telegram

No. 976) that the Communists had recently announced plans for

opening some twenty-five new schools. At the end of August

he reported (Hong Kong telegram No. 1032) that public

apprehension was building up at the Government's generally

lenient attitude towards Communist schools. The matter had

been twice raised by unofficial members of the Executive

Council. One member had expressed strong views on the need

to curb the Communists' expansionist schools programme.

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