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Hong Kong telegram No. 98 to Commonwealth Office
(e)
(f)
(g)
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some hostility to Government officials. A small union group also presented a wage increase demand at the Colonial Secretariat.
A reduction in political activities in schools, due to pre-occupation with end of term examinations which have been held by the major Communist controlled schools, apparently in response to pressure by parents. However, questions set in the papers on English and Chinese literature were confined to the Works of Mao and all examination papers were of a low standard to ensure that the majority of students obtained apparently good results.
Continued anti British propaganda in the Communist Press, the main themes being salinity, devaluation and alleged Government attempts to s top Communists providing welfare for squatters made homeless by a fire. The incident outside a police station was described as 'planned armed suppression of drivers of lorries carrying produce from China', and full coverage was given to the Workers' Delegation who visited various Government offices.
The return to the Colony during the week of the senior CPG appointees in local Communist organisations following their stay in China since October 1967 (paragraph 1 (g) of telegram 1594/67 refers).
A calm period in the border area. There has been no stone throwing at wiring parties but one minor incident at the Sha Tau Kok police post. The PLA now patrol the border with guard dogs and on 18 January an illegal immigrant was pursued as far as the border fence. He escaped into British territory (BT) where he was later arrested. Illegal immigration from China by sea continues but a report has been received that fishermen from CT have been threatened with the death penalty if they are caught conveying escapees.
2. Ten minor Communist controlled schools were inspected by Education Department staff. At most schools protests were made concerning persecution by Government and students chanted Mao slogans. At one school the inspection was terminated when the Inspectors rejected a protest over the arrest of a teacher earlier in the confrontation, and s tudents surrounded the Inspection party chanting anti-Government slogans. This school will be inspected again without prior notice.
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