TNAG-0070-FCO40-106-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-propaganda-1968 — Page 53

C.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

- 2

(a)

(e)

and thus permit all apprehensions about it to die. It

may be that it will be possible for Hong Kong to achieve

a working relationship with China whereby it is understood

that Hong Kong can exist as a Chinese/British anomaly

under conditions acceptable to both sides.

These

possibilities are in order of preference as far as Hong Kong

is concerned.

It is appreciated also that, within Hong Kong itself, consent

and support for the Government does exist, and was slowly

being increased up to 1967. It is strongly believed that

the disturbances of this year have augmented and made more

urgent the need to retain and fortify the consent and

support of the local population as a political insurance

against attempts at subversion from within.

nature of communis, the strong appeal of "tung bao" and

the existence of many areas of social activity which lend themselves as targets for fomenting discontent, all these things importantly supplement the normal objectives of a

government which wishes to serve its population well.

It is a

The very

case of adding internal security to altruism as a

reason for affecting improved government.

While it is a considered view that eliminating the external threat is the primary need and that this cannot be eliminated

in current circumstances, it is held that within this limitation (Let's hope temporary limitation) efforts need

to be made to increase and fortify the support of the

population for the Government.

groups.

This can be done in two

Firstly by fresh improvements which are

perceptibly beneficial to people without being

transparently cheap political gestures for supports' sake.

Secondly by making sure that past, current and imminent improvements wrought by Government are part of people's

/consciousness

CONFIDENTIAL