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SECRET
Hong Kong telegram No. 184 to Commonwealth Office
2
the incident involving the postman also stemmed from this arrest. On 10 February a uniformed postman delivering mail in San Lau street Sha Tau Kok B.T. was surrounded by a group of unidentified youths who threatened to abduct him to C.T. During the incident a male wearing a Mao badge crossed from C.T. and told the youths to desist whereupon the postman was released.
2. The claimed arrival in the Colony of the clothing donated by the Kwangtung Red Cross may presage increased pressure by the local Communists on Government to permit the distribution of these items to prisoners. The announcement that the rice, presented by the Kwangtung Support Committee, will arrive shortly may indicate an intention to defy the Government ruling that it must be imported under the quota and in accordance with normal procedure. While to do so would be inviting a major clash with Government, the local Communist leaders may feel that this is an issue on which they could obtain support, not only from Peking but also from some sections of the local population. However, the statement by a Union official that the FTU is seeking instructions from Canton regarding what action should be taken against any Government interference is of interest, and, if true, provides a further indication of tightened control of Communist affairs in the Colony by the authorities in China which may inhibit any locally inspired militant action.
3. The statements at leading Communist schools stressing the need for a return to academic studies during the coming term indicates an awareness of the need to provide children with a formal education in addition to "Mao's indoctrination". However, the disemination of anti- Government propaganda must be expected to continue. The large enrolment claimed by one school clearly will be given maximum publicity and, together with the continuing absence of student involvement in violent activity, may encourage some parents to overcome their reluctance to send their children to Communist schools.
4.
The reason for the visit to China by local Communist leaders is still not clear but the continued postponement of the formation of a Kwangtung Provincial Revolution Committee may partly explain their stay in China.
5. Although there are increasing references to alleged Viet Cong victories at meetings of Communist organisations and in the Communist Press there is no indication, so far, that the local Communists intend to intensify anti-American activities here Propaganda attacks on the U.S. in the local context have been more restrained than might have been expected, with only isolated references to American use of Hong Kong, as a base. Any major escalation of the war in Viet Nam could, of course, result in China reappraising her policy towards Hong Kong, and in that event a CPG initiated campaign against American military, presence in the Colony could be a distinct possibility.
C.Q. pass Washington 18 and Canberra 15.
Sir D. Trench [Repeated as requested and to Cabinet Office]
FILES
C.O. H.K.
H.K. Dept. Dept.
I. & G.D.at
J.I.R.D.
F.E.P.D.
Defence Dept. Mr. Hall
P.S. to Minister of State
(Lord Shepherd)
F.O. F.E.D. Mr. Wilkinson
8.1.A. DIS MOD
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