TNAG-0078-FCO40-114-Action-against-Communist-press-1967 — Page 102

Ref: GEN/14/368/138

SECRET

Special Branch, Police Headquarters,

Hong Kong

24th October 1967

ACTION AGAINST THE COMMUNIST PRESS

REAPPRAISAL AS AT

24TH OCTOBER, 1967

1)

CURRENT FACTORS

(a)

Press is toning down in relation to violence (may only be temporary).

(b)

Communists appear to be returning to ideological study broader base of support.

-

(0)

(a)

(e)

Autumn Trade Fair seems likely local Chinese firms will be invited, also possible local 'British' firms which have foreign agencies. (Ditto some in England).

Border situation - at present relatively peaceful.

Supplies of food from China in so far as communications allor approaching normal.

(f)

Senior Inspector KNIGHT, two Police Constables forthcoming negotiations.

possible

2)

LONG TERM FACTORS

(a)

Unchanged from those outlined in paper GEN/14/368/138 of the 19th October 1967.

3)

CONCLUSION

Unless Government wishes to seek initiative by taking firm action at a time when the communists, for their own ends, are overtly de-escalating, it is considered that for the moment it would not be timely to proceed with court action against any of the remaining six communist newspapers. Clearly, however, the situation must be kept under review as it has been throughout confrontation.

RAJR/ok

SECRET