TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 135

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

In the beginning of April 1967, the Indonesian army and police encircled the Chinese Communist Embassy and announced that Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Yao Teng-shan and Consul General Hsu Jen were persona non grata. In Peking 100,000 people assembled, demonstrated and set fire to the Indonesian Military Attache's office.

In May, the strike of plastic flower workers in Hsinpukang, Hong Kong, was turned into an “anti-British and anti-atrocity" struggle. In Peking, 100,000 people assembled and held processions opposing Britain. The 3 June "People's Daily" published an editorial entitled: "Resolutely conterattack the British Imperialist provocation." The 5 July "People's Daily" published another editorial calling on the people "To give free rein to the masses and to further strengthen the forces of the anti-British and anti-atrocity struggle."

Peking expelled Lu Kuan-nan (7627 0385 0589), Indian Embassy personnel, in June on charges of being a spy. The Indian public stormed the Peking Embassy in India, and Peking held anti-Indian demonstrations.

In June and July Burma prohibited overseas Chinese students from wearing Mao badges. The Chinese Communist Embassy in Rangoon was stormed and some of its personnel were killed or injured. The Chinese Communists published a Government statement, and Peking held rallies and anti-Burmese demonstrations.

We do not believe that all these problems were the fault of the Chinese Communists. but attacks from all sides and enemies everywhere obviously did not conform to Mao's principles on struggling against enemies. At that time, Chinese diplomacy mainly dealt with the United States and the Soviet Union. "When wolves stand astride the road, why should we care about foxes?” Furthermore, Burma, India and Indonesia were newly emerging countries in Asia and our neighbours. Although there were current difficulties in the

relations with these countries, in the long run they were the objectives to be won over and united. They were not the targets of attack. Because of ulterior aims, Lin and Chiang completely ignored the interests of the country and nation.

Chou En-lai carried out the work concerning Hong Kong and Macao while Mao laid down the principles for these areas. There is no doubt that Hong Kong and Macao are Chinese territories. When the time is right, this problem will definitely be solved. Before the problem can be solved, the status quo must be maintained and compromise must be effected. People did not understand the aim of the "anti-British and anti-atrocity struggle." The Chinese Communists were unwilling to effect compromise. They constantly made the situat- ion serious. It appeared that they did not deliberately plan to immediately take back the areas!

A "People's Daily 3 June editorial fanned the "Anti-atrocity" wind and kindled the flames of revolution. It announced that the anti- atrocity struggle had "just begun." It wanted Hong Kong and Kowloon compatriots "to persist in the struggle, oppose stubborn enemies, relentlessly pursue the tottering for and overthrow and discredit the British Imperialists!" the editorial finally called on the Hong Kong and Kowloon compatriots to mobilize and organize and "Be ready at all times to smash the British Imperialists' reactionary reign in response to the call of their great motherland!" did the Chinese Communists deliberately plan to recover Hong Kong? If it was impossible to do so at that time, why did "People's Daily" utter this remark?

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