HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
54 PALL MALL
LONDON S.W. 1
Phone: 01-930-7951
OVERSEAS
CONFIDENTIAL
SERVICES
CONFIDENCE IN HONG
KONG
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This p per sets out the views of the Overseas Public Relations Co-ordination Committec on how the 1967 Disturbances have affected over-seas confidence in Hong Kong and how efforts can be made to retain and foster overseas confidence. There is also an account of the steps taken so far to achieve this objective.
1.
New Factors Influencing Overseas Confidence in Hong Kong
(a)
(b)
Up to 1966 Hong Kong was able to conduct its economic and social life relatively detached from the political considerations of China; China had a strong but passive influence over the colony's affairs. The start of the Cultural Revolution attracted even greater overseas attention towards China. It was when the revolutionary fervour caused disturbances in Macau that Hong Kong began to be associated with events occurring in China. There was apprehension that Hong Kong might be similarly affected.
When street disturbances started in Hong Kong in May, 1967, many people, both in Hong Kong and overseas, were shocked into thinking that China might soon take over Hong Kong. People assumed that this was likely either because of a policy decision in Peking or by an invasion from Kwantung Frovince without the blessing of Peking, or by subversion from within the colony which would be effective enough to destroy the British control of Hong Kong. Even if people did not assume that China would take over Hong Kong, they were at least reminded that China could take Hong Kong, and prompted to think that it was likely sooner or later because of the anti- imperialist posture taken by China.
CONFIDENTIAL
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