CO_968_257_COMMUNIST_ACTIVITIES_IN_HONG_KONG_1952 — Page 108

SAVINGRAM

To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

From the Governor, Hong Kong.

yth February, 1952.

Date

you

No. 213

SECRET

Page 108

41

Repeated to:

Commissioner General, SINGAPORE (No.15)

II.M. Charge d'Affaires, PEKING

(No.9 (No. 9)

1.

(6)

Your telegram No. 102 of 24th January.

Communist inspired disorders in the Colony.

I am most grateful for your message, The Chinese propagande campaign has of course assumed more serious proportions with the official statement made by the Foreign Ministry in Peking on 26th January, and Peking Radio has since given prominence to a number of obviously-inspired editorials on similar lines in the Peking press. It is evident that for propaganda purposes at any rate the C. P.G. have decided to treat the recent deportations of agitators from the Colony as evidence of a new development in H. G. 's policy towards China.

2. *

The recent change in C.P.G. policy in regard to Hong Kong suggests that this view may in fact be held by the Chinese authorities. During the past two years their general attitude towards the Colony has been quiescent, probably on two main grounds: firstly, because of its economic usefulness to China and secondly, because as long as there was considerable divergence between British and American policy in the Far East the position of Hong Kong was likely to remain a fruitful source of contention. The economic factor has become progressively less important since the outbreak of the war in Korea, and it seems probable that on the recent change of Government in the U.K. the C.P. G. decided that divergence 'of policy was likely to be reduced to an extent which made it no longer profitable to exploit Hong Kong's position. It is probably significant that left-wing activities within the Colony became noticeably more aggressive very soon after the result of the General Election was known. The recent conversations in Washington, and in particular the exaggerated reports of the conclusions reached which appeared in the American press, now seem to have confirmed the C.P.G. in their view.

ave

.

3.

In regard to the Colony's internal situation, we have at present to deal with a left-wing pressure campaign which shows every sign of skilful planning and direction. Unfortunately, our present over- population, the division of political loyalties among the Chinese community, together with the increasing economic depression and its attendant unemployment, afford ample opportunities for trouble-making by calculated appeals to the emotions. Widespread unrest has already been stirred up in labour circles and for the present attention is being concentrated upon the exploitation of the situation resulting from the serious squatter fire at Tung Tau Village, Kowloon, last November. After a campaign of persistent misrepresentation and falsehood regarding Government's handling of the question of relief and resettlement and the instigation of defiance of the prohibition against rebuilding on the site, the latest moves have been the distribution of rice and the despatch of relief funds to the alleged victims in the name of a number of "democratic" organizations in Canton, accompanied by well-publicised assurances of the sympathy and support. they can rely upon from their fellow countrymen on the mainland. political inspiration behind these activities is obvious and the probable intention is to induce the Hong Kong authorities to take repressive action by deportation, etc., which can in turn be effectively used to create further agitation and disturbances. On the other hand, failure on our part to deal firmly with these provocative activities tends to lessen confidence among the Chinese community in generate hosef morale Rageal fea of been shaken by the recent propaganda outbursts from the main-

land.

ا.

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