CO_968_257_COMMUNIST_ACTIVITIES_IN_HONG_KONG_1952 — Page 178

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

COPY FOR RECISTRATION

Simplex

D. 10th January, 1952. R. 10th

#

12.50 hrs.

PRIORITY SECRET No. 33

Addressed to S. of S.

Repeated to Commissioner General for U.K. in

10

S.E. Asia, No. 13. Peking, No. 5 (S. of S. please

pass to Peking).

Communist Penetration of Hong Kong Film Industry.

Deportation Orders were approved by the Governor

in Council on 8th January in the case of 13 Chinese connected with the local film industry, on the grounds that they were actively working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party and, to that end, employed methods of coercion to induce the production of pro-communist propaganda films in the Colony.

2. It has been well-known to us for many months past that the C.C.P. was active in this matter. Local film producers are naturally anxious to secure a market for their films on the Chinese mainland, and are, in consequence, susceptible to pressure. It has, however, hitherto proved impossible to secure satisfactory evidence until the present case, in which the Yung Hwa Studio, having resisted suggestions that it should devote its resources to the production of pro-communist films and submit its scripts to party censorship, was subjected to various methods of pressure ranging from threats to its actors to deliberate obstruction on the part of technicians during production of non-political films. technicians were dismissed by the Management but refused to leave the premises, and the Manager finally sought police assistance. Investigation by the Special Branch has since obtained conclusive evidence of attempted coercion by all 13 persons now to be deported, and of the direct political motives underlying their activities.

These

3. These deportations are certain to produce strong reaction, for the C.P.G. has always shown itself particularly sensitive in matters affecting its propaganda activities. It is, however, evident that if we do not take advantage of the evidence of those who have had the courage to come forward in this case we shall not have a second opportunity of the kind. Firm action now is, in fact, the only means of ensuring that the local film industry is not subjected to an increasing measure of communist penetration and control. The decision has also been influenced by the fact that left-wing political activity has been noticeably aggressive during the past several weeks, and there may well be advantage in providing a sharp Page 182sson at the present time.

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