SECRET
HONG KONG TELNO.354 TO F.C.0.
- 3-
M
HKK!IL
detention order, (see Telegram 350) which was given some prominence in the local Communist Press; It is not yet known whether he will comply with the supervision order; the two detainees previously re- leased under similar conditions, are still in hiding. (See Tele- grams 287, Para.1 (D) and 40, Para.1 (B)).
(H) The attempted abduction of five local fishermen and two sampans from British waters by fishermen from C.T. in connection with a long-
HWB standing dispute over ownership of oyster beds in Deep Bay, (Telegram 836/68): The crew of one sampan cut their craft free while the other abandoned their vessel, which was returned to B.T. undamaged the following day. This appears to have been a locally initiated in- cident and C.T. Commune representatives are now reported to be en- deavouring to establish contact with Hong Kong Government officials to pursue the dispute.
2.
The generally restrained level of local Communist celebrations of the closure of the 9th Congress was probably due, in part, to waning enthusiasm caused by the long duration of the Congress coupled with a lack of news of progress. Coming at the end of a month of functions of one sort or another it is, perhaps, not surprising that Communist celebrations of Labour Day were also rather dull affairs.
The final communique and political report, published some days after the closure of the Congress, will clearly need careful study, parti- cularly in view of the absence in the report of any reference to the Hong Kong 'struggle', before local Communists can attempt to interpret them to their subordinates. We expect a period of relative inacti- vity while study groups are set up to digest these two documents and the revised party constitution.
F.C.O. please pass to Washington and Canberra.
Sir D. Trench
FILES
H.K.D.
P.U.S.D.
F. EASTERN D. GUID. D. CCNS. D.
[Fassed to Cabinet Office]
[Repeated as requested]
0. LAB. ADV.
0. POL. ADV.
I.R.D. I.P.D.
MR. MORETON
SECRET
SIR A.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT. GALSWORTHY
SIR J. JOHNSTON
P.S. TO LORD SHEPHERD
KR. PECK
MR. KASON
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.