COME 13 - 17
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Reference
Mr David o/r
Mr Milton
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THE UNITED FRONT await Mr. Barrit's volun!
1.
The important point (in paragraph 7) is that United Front activities are kept tight Party control to ensure that they do not lead to pressure for change in the status quo in Hong Kong before Peking wants it. When that time comes, United Front activities may well of course take on a new significance.
2. The shift in attitude towards the PRC among middle class Hong Kong Chinese, seems to me to be largely a result of the more relaxed and reasonable line Peking has taken towards Hong Kong in recent years, which has dipelled thoughts of a precipitate takeover. The Chinese Government's "patriotic appeal" to all Chinese has been enhanced in the 1970s by their success in restoring China's greatness in the eyes of the world through diplomacy, the UN platform, etc. It seems likely that most Chinese in Hong Kong (and probably elsewhere) respect Mao for that, whatever their political persuasion.
3. I have no specific comments to add to those of Mr Milton or yourself with which I fully agree. But I think one key area of United Front activity which deserves particular attention is the field of education, since the degree of success achieved among the young will significantly affect the climate of opinion in Hong Kong in the crucial last decade of this century.
1 November 1976
AR Paul
A R Paul
Far Eastern Department 233 5184
X above: But, ar war pointed out in an adliche in the financial Tuner i zę October, the
on 29 Commuurls have been forcing ground in recent year because Communit-(United front)-twee schools, where English is not tayht, have been forcip pupils to givalumant schools.
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