G.F. 323 0003230
CONFIDENTIAL
7.
- 2 -
The influence of expatriate lecturers in universities and colleges was also important in giving respectability to criticism of the Hong Kong Government and social environment.
8.
Most of the expatriate element in the New Left has since drifted away from the Colony, either disillusioned by the lack of action on the Hong Kong scene or under the direct sanction of
The remainder have fallen silent. the Immigration Department. initiative has thus passed to locals.
Composition and Ams
9.
The
Only a tiny proportion of the young in the Colony have at present any material connexion with New Left Groups, however widely these are defined.
10.
On a wide definition such groups must include a number of representative student bodies, for the Hong Kong and the Chinese Universities' students' Unions and the Federation Students have all sometime s participated in the New Left action. Most of their leaders nevertheless remain moderate, and the great majority of their members still seems politically dormant, either pre-occupied with study, uninterested or nervous of involvement. Indications are that those in Halls of Residence may be more prone to become involved than those living at home and exposed to parental or family influence. But even the limited number aroused by particular issues, such as the blind workers' dispute or the use of Chinese language, have so far mostly proved reluctant to be associated with unlawful activities.
11.
The
The occasional participation of these bodies has given a misleading impression of widespread student support for the New Left. The few real radicals in them have fostered this. Federation's name is thus used to maximum advantage, to lend a cloak of respectability to the activities of the few, and to obtain the publicity which the press accords to material connected with it. The facilities to which it has access, like halls for meetings, are also used.
12.
Together with these few, two comparatively small groups now form the hard core of the New Left: the 70s Bi- weekly and the Chong Kin Experimental College. Their members (few of who are now full-time students) appear dissatisfied enough with the whole Hong Kong establishment to be deeply committed to and regularly involved in protest. A handful of them perhaps believe that existing society cannot be altered without violence, and may be
potential revola onaries.
/ 13.
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.