TNAG-0176-FCO40-212-Brief-on-communist-controlled-schools-for-Lord-Shepherd-s-vi-1969 — Page 41

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a) Once the normal judicial processes had been set in

motion as a result of legal action against Wong, it would not seem possible to ensure that they would not ultimately lead to his imprisonment.

Is their attitude

(b) Are the views involved in this particular matter of

such fundamental importance to Hong Kong that they would justify taking action against Wong which could lead to sharp reaction the Communist Peoples' Government at a time when we are hoping for favour-

able results from the recent announcement about the

review of sentences now being served by long term

confrontation prisoners?

oners worth whiti

دنیا

that

(c) Would it not be informing Wong, before the question

of taking legal action against him is pursued, if he will apply to the Director of Education for permission to visit the school premises, permission for reasonably frequent visits consistent with his position as owner would be granted? It appears that Wong has not yet been informed in these terms. (a) That In any event, before legal action was taken, it

might be worth informing the covert contact that Wong's continued intransigence was making it extremely diffi- cult for the Hong Kong authorities to refrain from such action. The contact's response to this information might help to assess further the importance attached to the matter by the Chinese Peoples' Government.

(e) [ free no. Carter's mirite]

General

Background

9. As part of their long term campaign the local Communists have kept up their criticisms of and attacks on the Government, particularly in the spheres of public transport, crime, hawkers and resettlement schemes. But the local Communist leadership are maintaining a generally firm control over their subordinates and have emphasised to them the long term nature of their struggle and the need to adapt Communist attitudes to meet local conditions. The lack of success so far achieved by the

( Recent Nay Day celebrations were in

a notably low key).

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