CONFIDENTIAL
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have been made in the academic content of curricula but political indoctrination still plays an important part and there is close control over extra-curricula activities.
16.
The border has been relatively quiet and the Chinese border authorities exercise strict control over emigrants, but there remains always the possibility that control might be relaxed. At sea fishermen who wish to fish in Chinese inshore waters are subject to economic pressures and political indoctrination, while in June, 1968, 70 fishermen were abducted in Deep Bay, of whom three have yet to return.
17.
About 250 "confrontation prisoners" are still in prison, including 11 "newsworkers" whose imprisonment is associated by Peking with the detention of Mr Anthony Grey. All 52 detainees have been released.
18.
In brief, we continue to make steady progress in the social and economic fields. With constant vigilance we can overcome any internal pressures which would tend to impede this progress and can contain any local Communist influence. We remain vulnerable, of course, to external pressures, if the C.P.G. should decide to change its policy towards Hong Kong, and our trade expansion remains vulnerable to trade restraints imposed, or currency disturbances experienced by our trading partners. But, on the whole, Hong Kong's immediate future looks reasonably bright, brighter indeed than might have been thought possible at this time two years ago; and the confidence of the community in that future is being well maintained.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
D. C. C. TRENCH
GOVERNOR
The Rt. Hon. Michael Stewart, CH,MP,
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
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