TNAG-0289-FCO40-325-Departmental-briefs-on-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 169

CONFIDENTIAL

15. A number of long term communist prisoners are still1

serving sentences for their partin the disturbances of 1967

(they wore 115 in number at the end of March) and must con-

stitute a continuing point of friction in Sino-Hong Kong

relations. There is little local pressure for their roloneo

at present and the Hong Kong communists seem resigned to the

likelihood thut the prisoners will have to serve out their -

sentences less normal remission. But for prestige reasons

and the morale of their local supporters the CPG cannot afford

to forget these prisoners and we must assume that it remains

their objective to secure their release.

Conuntat Pross 16. The CPG are especially sonsitive about the attitude of

the long Kong Government towards the local communist press

which not infrequently publishes subversivo material, The

last occasion on which the Government took action to curb tho

press was immediately followed by the sacking of our Mission in Peking (in August, 1967).

Communi at

Schools

1

17. Communist schools have an aggregate enrolment of Gome

29,000 pupils which represents 2.4% of the total school

cmrolment in the Colony. However, they have a captive

clientele in the families of active communist supporters,

conmunist trade union members and employees of communist

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 provido servos

to restrict their appeal in non-communist circles.

CONFIDENTIAL

/ 18.