SECRET
15. A number of long term communist prisoners are still
serving sentences for their partin the disturbances of 1967
(they were 115 in number at the end of March) and must corr
stitute a continuing point of friction in Sino-Hong Kong
relations. There is little local pressure for their release
at present and the Hong Kong communists seem resigned to the
likelihood that the prisoners will have to serve out their
sentences less normal remission. But for prestige reasons
and the morale of their local supporters the CPQ cannot afford
to forget these prisoners and we must assume that it remains
their objective to secure their release.
Communist Press 16. The CPG are especially sensitive about the attitude of
the Hong Kong Government towards the local communist press
which not infrequently publishes subversive material. The
last occasion on which the Government took action to curb the
press was immediately followed by the sacking of our Mission
in Peking (in August, 1967).
Communi at Schools
17.
Communist schools have an aggregate enrolment of some
29,000 pupils which represents 2.4% of the total school
enrolment in the Colony. However, they have a captive
clientele in the families of active communist supporters,
communist trade union members and employees of communi st
concerns; such schools provide for a high level of political
indoctrination and are not easy to control. On the other
hand the low standard of education that they provide serves
to restrict their appeal in non-communist circles.
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