TNAG-0176-FCO40-212-Brief-on-communist-controlled-schools-for-Lord-Shepherd-s-vi-1969 — Page 99

CONFIDENT IAL

9. There are two areas of particular sensitivity for the communists in Hong Kong: the press and education. Action against either could lead to a sharp communist reaction, in Peking as well as Hong Kong. Both have been handled by the Governor with great care and restraint. Communist newspapers and schools have been allowed to continue although in breach of the law. The question, as always, is to balance the need to take firm action to maintain the Government's authority and public confidence in Hong Kong against the risk to Sino-British relations in general, and to Hong Kong in particular, of a strong C.P.G. reaction to any measures we may take.

10.

It is in this context that we would like to discuss with the Governor :-

(a) the threat posed to the educational system as a whole

and to the authority of the Hong Kong Government by the potential expansion of communist schools;

(b) in the light of (a), what public apprehension and

pressures are to be anticipated;

흐흐

and

(c) the implications in detail of taking any or all of the

measures outlined in paragraphs 7 - 8 above.

Hong Kong Department 15 October, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL