SECRET
5 -
Page No. 5 of 9 pages
Education
16.
The death has occurred of CHENG Ming-to, a communist supporter
who was prominent in the affairs of the Hong Kong Private Anglo-Chinese
Schools Association and also a delegate to the Guangdong Provincial People's
Consultative Conference and adviser to the communist controlled Hong Kong
Federation of Workers. The communists made his funeral service an occasion
to demonstrate their appreciation of CHENG's activities, the leading
figure in communist educational circles serving as a pall bearer.
· 17.
The majority of the 230 applications for enrolment at the
communist Fukien Middle School were from newly arrived Mandarin speaking
immigrants from China. This was also a feature of last year's enrolment.
Mandarin is used for teaching at the school.
Incident in Deep Bay
18.
4
There was a collision between a Royal Navy hovercraft and a
Chinese gunboat in Deep Bay, in Hong Kong waters, during the early hours
of 29 February.
Armed Chinese boarded the hovercraft and other Chinese
gunboats uncovered their guns and were positioned so as to prevent its
departure until "discussions" demanded by the Chinese had been held.
The Senior Officer of the RN's Hong Kong Squadron accompanied by two
Chinese officers of the Royal Hong Kong Police represented the British
side and refused to enter into discussions until the Chinese boarding
party was withdrawn. This was eventually agreed and after subsequent
lengthy negotiations, written statements were made by both captains
involved. The Chinese then withdrew all their vessels and the hovercraft
returned to base, some 22 hours after the collision had taken place.
Chinese behaviour in threatening the use of force was the subject of
representations both in Beijing and locally the response was tantamount
to an admission that the local commanders had over reacted. The Political
Adviser was in touch with the NCNA at various times during the incident :
they were co-operative throughout and appeared to be doing all they could
to bring about an amicable conclusion. A R.N. enquiry into the
circumstances of the mishap has been completed and present methods of
operating will be examined with a view to avoiding further mishaps.
/ para 19.
The
SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.