TNAG-0186-FCO40-222-Special-branch-reports-on-Communist-activities-1969 — Page 178

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population through further United Front work and the expansion of patriotic

education will remain major objectives.. At the same time the communists

will strive to erode the position of the Hong Kong Government while enjoying

the economic benefits of the Colony.

28.

The Hong Kong Government will continue to be faced with a long term

and insidious threat to its authority and during the next few months the

communists will endeavour to:-

(a) Continue overtly to remain within the law and avoid clashes with

the Government;

(b) Continue their efforts to improve morale and consolidate their

own ranks;

(c) Intensify their efforts to improve the position of their banking

and commercial organisations in the Colony;

(d) Maintain an anti-Government propaganda campaign, probably of a

more subtle nature than heretofore;

(e) Attempt to restore their influence in the Essential Services of

the Colony by recruiting present employees into the ranks of

communist unions;

(f) Take further steps to attract more students to communist schools

once the present expansion programme has been consolidated;

(g) Intensify the campaign to widen their support among the general

public, taking up grievances wherever possible and using

"patriotic nationalism" to influence the uncommitted sections of

the community, and in general to erode away confidence in the

Government and subvert its authority and by so doing win over the

population.

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