+
SECRET
Page No. 4 of 9 pages
4 -
12.
The second through train service between Hong Kong and Guangzhou
which was to have begun on 1 February 1980 only to be postponed at short
notice, (para 11, January 1980 report), started on 11 February 1980. It thus
made some contribution to the movement of nearly 3/4 of a million passengers
a record number who crossed the border at Lowu over the Chinese New Year
period. Immigration, Customs, Police and the Kowloon Canton Railway
were able to cope successfully with this surge, and full co-operation was
shown by their Chinese counterparts.
G
Propaganda
13.
The financial problems of the local communist film industry
were among matters discussed at a meeting in Guangzhou attended by delegates
from Hong Kong, Vice Chairman Marshall YE Jianying and the Head of the
Hong Kong-Macau office in Beijing, LIAO Cheng-zhi. It was decided that
further discussions on the subject would be arranged with the Ministry of
Culture.
On a separate occasion the manager of the Southern Film Corporation,
one of the communist film makers in Hong Kong, criticised the NCNA for its
lack of support for local communist ventures, alleging that the NCNA
concentrated too much on economic development within China. However
WANG Kuang, First Director of the NCNA, indicated that the situation had
to be accepted.
United Front
14.
Because of their lack of experience and knowledge of economic
matters, Chinese communist officials with responsibilities for cultural
and sports affairs in Hong Kong are finding it difficult to adapt to
China's current policy of attaching highest priority to economic
considerations.
15.
There is growing resentment among local sports organisations
over the extent of the NCNA's influence and interference in local sporting
matters and sporting contacts with China. Sports officials have held two
meetings to discuss possible ways of countering this.
SECRET
/ para 16.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.