TNAG-0946-FCO40-1165-Local-Intelligence-Committee-assessment-of-the-political-sit-1980 — Page 40

SECRET

20.

Page No. 6 of 11 pages

A new Chinese language daily newspaper the Zhong Bao (Centre

Daily News) has commenced publication in Hong Kong and local communist and KMT officials have both shown keen interest. The communists view it as a

:

potential ally the KMT suspect it of being linked to the campaign to bring about the peaceful reunification of Taiwan. The proprietor and several of the editorial staff have links with Taiwan, the former having owned a Taibei newspaper until 1978. Politically they appear anxious to see a democratic government there and a negotiated settlement leading to reunification.

They say they aim to be impartial and have made clear that the newspaper does not support the Taiwan Independent Movement (whose activities were publicised in Hong Kong during the month by the American wife

of one of the defendants in the current trial in Taibei). The style of the paper seems likely to appeal to better educated and informed Chinese readers.

United Front

21.

The Guangdong Chiu Chow Opera Troop gave a series of performances at a communist theatre. These were preceded by plentiful publicity aimed at attracting local residents of Chiu Chow origin and a large reception hosted by a prominent Macau pro-communist businessman, HO-Yin, to which many influential local Chiu Chow citizens were invited.

Education

22.

The communist Pui Kiu Middle School (see para 23, December 1979 report) is conducting a campaign to raise about HK$20 m. towards the cost of building new premises, where it hopes to provide equipment and facilities comparable with those in Government schools. Various local businessmen, including Sir Y.K. Pao, Henry FOK, and LI Ka-shing, Chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings, were to be approached for donations, and appeals have already been made to the parents of ex-pupils of the school and to the staff of some of the local communist-controlled banks. NG Hong-man, the School's Principal, and a small party have visited the Philippines to raise funds from former Pui Kiu Middle School pupils there, and similar visits to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are planned. The school is also taking steps to become a non-profit making body to comply with the conditions of the sale of Government land to the school.

SECRET

/ para 23.