TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 87

CONFIDENTIAL #2

(4)

1

2

by the Hong Kong Government. Publicity material, such as official press releases, green papers, as well as constructive comments on Government policies (e.g. a well researched and balanced critique on the Transport Green Paper was regularly published. Criticism of Government in-

adequacies and shortcomings was mild in tone except on issues affecting public morals, such as pornography, sex, vice and gambling which were vehemently condemned as having very harmful effects on Chinese compatriots residing in Hong Kong. Over some sensitive public controversies, (e.g. the row over Frecious Blood Golden Jubilee School), it was significant that they attacked and criticised the

belligerent teachers and students for their unruly behaviour. The communist papers sometimes publicized inadequacies and un- satisfactory efforts in China. Their propaganda about China's achievements continued vigorously, but the strategy and policy were modified and adjusted to make their papers more credible, acceptable or attractive to the Hong Kong public. A classic example was the abandonment of simplified Chinese characters in favour of conventional Chinese characters by Wen Wei Pao

/p. 3

CONFIDENTIAL ##

機密