TNAG-0210-FCO40-246-Briefs-and-background-notes-for-visit-of-Deputy-Under-Secret-1969 — Page 12

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The A.G.

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and

degree of this sensitivity was clearly evidenced during the disturbances of 1967 when, in August of that year, prosecutions against three leading Communist newspapers in Hong Kong for the publication of seditious material led

directly and immediately to the sacking of our Mission in Peking. It is believed that the general public in Hong Kong are sufficiently sophisticated to have some immunity to the more outrageous and extreme forms of Communist propaganda; so long as the Communist press refrains from publishing material of a blatantly seditious and inflammatory nature the authorities accordingly take no action against it. Although this could be regarded as a "concession" to the Communists (and is so regarded by the Governor, who is apt to instance this as an example of how Hong Kong is already to some extent in a "Macau-type" position), we consider that

so long as public confidence in the Colony is not thereby

seriously affected, it is the best course to adopt in the interests of Sino/Hong Kong/British relations generally.

Communist Schools

10.

Although the total enrolment at these schools (26,167 in March, 1969) represents no more than 2.4% of the total school

enrolment in the Colony, the Communist effort in this sphere gives cause for some concern. These schools are increasing in numbers; their total enrolment increased by some 6,000 during the period March, 1968 March, 1969; they provide

for a high level of indoctrination and they are not easy

to control.

11.

Communist schools have a captive clientele in the families

of active supporters, trade union members and employees of

Communist concerns. Against the forms of pressure and

persuasion that can be brought to bear, Government measures to wean parents from sending their children to Communist schools are unlikely to succeed. Conversely there is no evidence

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