TNAG-1155-FCO40-1435-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-(MPs)-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 165

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and their membership is limited to a small number of mainly middle-class Chinese and expatriates of no particular ideological background.

They

1.10 By far the most significant political presence in Hong Kong is

that of the Communist Chinese. There are a number of overt Communist organisations, including trade unions and schools. are tightly disciplined and controlled by the local party organisation appointed by Peking (headed by the Director of the local Office of the New China News Agency). These organisations have not attempted to play a direct role in Hong Kong's political affairs. While it remains the policy of Peking to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist organisations in the Territory can be relied on not to undermine government policies.

1.11 The activities of the Chinese Nationalists parallel those of the Communists but on a very much smaller, and diminishing, scale.

SECTION 2: THE ECONOMY

2.1 Much of Hong Kong is unproductive mountainland. About 16%, including sections reclaimed from the sea, is used for residential and industrial development. Only 9.4% of the land is farmed, producing vegetables, fruit, flowers, freshwater fish, pigs and poultry. There is a considerable fishing fleet of 5,000 boats, meeting over 90% of local demand for fish. Less than 3% of the population engage in farming or fishing.

2.2 Hong Kong's principal natural asset is its sheltered harbour, the only developed deep water port on the China coast. From the establishment of Hong Kong as a centre for Britain's Far East trade

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