TNAG-0115-FCO40-151-Departmental-briefs-for-Commonwealth-Prime-Minister-s-and-ot-1969 — Page 82

BACKGROUND NOTE

CONFIDENTIAL

POLITICAL. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Japanese Attitude towards Hong Kong

At the time of the 1967 disturbances in the Colony, the Japanese

press expressed some doubts as to whether we could maintain our

position in the face of Chinese hostility. At one stage, it appeared

that the Japanese Foreign Ministry advised Japanese nationals not to

visit Hong Kong; but this advice was later withdrawn.

It is to be

hoped that Japanese doubts have been put at rest now that violence

has ceased and the high rate of economic growth has been resumed.

Certainly Japanese investors in the Colony do not seem to show any

lack of confidence in its future.

Fresent Situation

There has been virtually no violence in Hong Kong since the

cessation of the disturbances there at the end of 1967, It is clear

that the Communist campaign of violence, which completely failed to

achieve its ends, has been replaced by a long term ideological struggle

to win the support of the general public. The local Communist leader-

ship has undoubtedly received directives from Peking instructing them

to avoid open clashes with the Hong Kong authorities. There have

as yet been no signs that this communist non-violent long term campaign

is achieving any success; but neither are there any indications

that the communists have any intention of ceasing their attempts to

undermine the authority of the Hong Kong Government.

/ Relations ...

CONFIDENTIAL