SECRET
Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE
Telno 38
SECRET
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
8 January 1968
WA 30
ша
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 38 of 8 January. Repeated for information to Singapore, Washington and Canberra.
For Commonwealth Office and Cabinet Office for JIC.
Following from LIC.
Weekly assessment of the situation as at 8th January 1968 0600 hours, follows in two parts (Part 1 only for Canberra).
Part 1.
The principal features of the Communist confrontation during this period have been:
A. The continued low level of bomb activity. Only 13 'hoax' bombs were planted and there were no incidents involving genuine devices.
B. The continuation of agitation for wage increases at Union meetings. At one meeting it was stated that the main purpose of the campaign was to upset the local economy by initiating an inflationary spiral. In this connexion a number of minor incidents have occurred at bus termini, where unemployed members of Transport Unions have distributed leaflets calling on bus crews to demand a wage increase and made unsuccessful attempts to obtain signatures to a wage increase petition.
C. The reappearance of a number of local Communist Labour leaders who have been in hiding since mid-July.
D. The distribution of 'fresh' water by employees of a Chinese products company to passers-by as a propaganda ploy in protest against the salinity of the domestic water supply. Propaganda about devaluation continues at a high level.
E. The decision of the Communist schools to hold end of term examinations despite several weeks of condemnation of the 'slavish' examination system. The reversal of policy was, apparently, brought about by pressure from parents. However, two of the papers will be based on Mao's Thoughts.
F.
The continued comparative calm of the border area broken only by sporadic and minor incidents. On two occasions at Tak U Ling a few stones were thrown by youths at a wiring party before being moved on by a CCA sentry. On six occasions at Shataukok children and youths in Chinese territory (C.T.) threw a few stones at the police and military posts in British territory (B.T.). On two occasions a CCA sentry intervened. On one occasion five air rifle pellets were fired at these targets. No injury or damage was caused.
IAST
NEXT
REF.
28
SECRET
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.
/G. PA.
ANGA..
HWAI
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