TNAG-0328-FCO40-364-Activities-of-New-Left-groups-amongst-students-and-youth-of--1973 — Page 67

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7.

the 70s Bi-Weekly, details of which are in Annex A. The criticisms of society expressed in these publications are mostly distorted and over-simplified, but they appeal to young people, especially when they

remain unanswered.

27.

A

The second way has been by discussions, forums or seminars on political subjects. Since the UK debate on China's admission there has been an increasing number of these, organised by various student unions and other groups. They deal with such subjects as the admission itself; modern Chinese history; local government reforms; and the future of Hong Kong. On several occasions senior Government officers have been invited to take part. Participation is not confined to recognised university groups. There is, for example, the Chong Kin Experimental College, a group of ex-students and others who gather regularly for discussions on art and social issues and have organised demonstrations. On recent issues, e. g. the Tiao Yu Tai Islands and China's UN membership, its line has increasingly correlated with that of the CPG.

28.

More noticeable have been public protest

meetings and demonstrations, often accompanied by petitions making various demands and usually launched with maximum publicity. Details of them have been summarised by Special Branch in the note at Annex B to this paper.

29.

The hard core group associated with the 70s Bi-Weekly, thought to number about 150, has been the main driving force behind these. Its tactics are to solicit the support of news media and attract the attention of young people with the object of confronting established authority at every point of public dissatisfaction. Its members are not afraid to break the law deliberately for this purpose. They set an example which they hope others will follow.

30.

Since last August, when some sites for legal demonstrations were made available, these have taken place peacefully. Partly perhaps for that reason, they have attracted less attention and been less successful from their organizers' viewpoint. Less have in consequence been organized, At the same time there has been a tendency to drop the earlier campaigns about the Chinese language and the Tiao Yu Tai (Sen Ka Ku) Islands in favour of issues likely to have more immediate appeal.

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