TNAG-0069-FCO40-105-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-propaganda-1967 — Page 125

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Foreign Office/Commonwealth Office, LONDON S.W.1.

IR1/240/15

15 August, 1967.

HONG KONG WORKING GROUP, LONDON

It has been decided to set up a Working Group in London to coordinate the work of Departments concerned with the handling of Information material designed to strengthen the position of the Hong Kong Government. The Group will study the problems posed by the threat of Chinese subversion in Hong Kong and make recommendations for countering it in the Information field. The Group does not constitute a new executive body nor will it displace the normal channels through which informa- tion is sent to the appropriate Departments in Whitehall. The Group will be chaired by John Peck, the Under-Secretary responsible for J.I.R.D.

2.

It now appears that the leaders of the Communist elements in Hong Kong have decided upon a long term strategy of harass- ment and intimidation in Hong Kong while their supporters establish and expand their basis of support. A long drawn out campaign of this kind could clearly pose a serious threat to the confidence of Hong Kong's trading partners in its economic viability and to Hong Kong's neighbours in South East Asia who are watching to see whether the Hong Kong Government intends to take a firm stand against Chinese subversive activities. In these circumstances it was felt that although the existing publicity arrangements in Hong Kong were adequate for local operational requirements they could not deal with major targets of interest outside the colony. In order to ensure the widest dissemination of information about develop- ments in Hong Kong and a speedy reaction through Information channels, it was decided that there was a need for a body in London to coordinate operational ideas and propaganda themes.

3. As a first stop, the Working Group has established the Departmental framework within which it will operate. diagrammatic description is enclosed at Appendix A. main targets ou side Hong Kong for which it was felt the working group in London would be the most effective channel are:-

A The

i)

Neighbouring Countries (pro and anti) in South East Asia.

ii)

The Overseas Chinese in South East Asia.

iii)

Other Countries of commercial importance to Hong Kong.

iv)

The Press and business community in the U.K.

v)

Com onwealth and other friendly Governments.

In Hong Kong itself the main targets are:-

i) Chinese Communi ts in Hong Kong.

ii) Chinese Non-Communists in Hong Kong.

iii) Business Community in Hong Kong.

iv) Youth in Hong Kong.

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19A,A,C