Hong Kong telegram No. 1372 to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.)
--3-
ago) advocating a political struggle rather than one by force. He has
again emphasised that the intervention of the PLA should not be taken
for granted by Communists in Hong Kong. There are a number of
indications that the local Communists intend to continue with their
policy of confrontation with the Hong Kong Government but emphasis
continues to be placed on the long term nature of the struggle ahead,
70 Information available in Hong Kong indicates that the PLA in Canton
has taken firm action during the last few days to stop the fighting
between the many factions in the city, apparently in an attempt to
restore order prior to the Autumn Trade Fair due to be held next month.
Although rail trafic between Canton and Hong Kong is still erratic with
very little produce entering the colony by this channel, the PLA appears
still to be in firm control of the border area.
Statements
8. The colony has passed a comparatively quiet week. made by Communist
officials during meetings held to discuss National Day celebrations
indicate that they wish to lower tension before the beginning of the
October festivities. The overt display of compliance by the Chung Wah
Middle School with the Director of Education's conditions and the recent
moderation in the tone of the Communist Press are further pointers that
the local Communist hierarchy is, for the moment, seeking to avoid a
major conflict with Government. However, it remains to be seen whether
or not they have sufficient influence to restrain their more militant
supporters. If the Communist leadership now keep overtly wit hin the
bounds of the law while planning a longer term campaign to disrupt the
Colony they will face government with a new and very difficult problem.
But it is impossible yet to be sure that the present apparent change in
tactics is intended to last beyond the celebrations of October 1st.
Foreign Office please pass Immediate POLAD Singapore as my telegram No.
343 and Routine Washington 294 and Canberra 92.
Sir D. Trench
Sent 10392 11 September
[Repeated as requested]
FILES
C.O. H.K. & W.I.D. "C"
VVVVV
Sir A. Galsowrthy
Mr. Hall
I. & G.Dept.
F.E. & P.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
Recd. 10452 11 September
[Sent to J.I.C. (Cabinet Office)]
F.0.
SECRET
F.E.D.
Mr. de la Mare O.P.A.
O.L.A.
!
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (DTD)
Unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED
12 September, 1967
VED
TOP COPY
Aw 464
Press.
112115 Sitrep two.
Public support for Government's ban on fireworks has been excellent.
Over one hundred (repeat one hundred) tons of fireworks were handed in
by public since ban first announced last Friday.
It is anticipated that most of fireworks still in hands of public will
be collected by tomorrow Tuesday.
Commissioner of Mines, Mr. Hetherington today thanked Hong Kong people
for excellent cooperation with Government in so willingly notifying and
surrendering large stocks of fireworks in their possession.
Overwhelming response he said indicated that public supported measure
taken by Government to deny use of explosives to terrorists who
manufacture bombs in attempt to disrupt and endanger lives and
livelihood of community.
It was like
One day after ban announced sound of exploding firecrackers reverberated
throughout colony. New Year's Eve.
Some say discharge of firecrackers although unlawful was in support of
Government, others say it was Communist inspired as protest against ban.
Reports from border say situation there has resumed calm of May before
series of incidents which resulted in demonstrations at Lowu.
0.A.G.
End informs..
Sent 22242/11 September Recd 05552/12 September
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION C.0. H.K. & W.I.D. 'C'
I. & G.D.
News Dept.
F.O. F.E. & P.D.
88888
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D. O.L.A.
O.P.A.
PAG
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.63
!
HWAIM
F
465
Hw.
En Clair
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(D.T.D.)
Telno
Unnumbered
12 September 1967
TOP CO
UNCLASSIFIED
Press.
120715.
!
Attention Glover.
Total of five bombs were found in different parts of the Colony up to
midnight yesterday Monday. They were all detonated by ballistic experts.
On Hong Kong Island the bombs were found at junction of Jaffe Road and
Canal Road West, between blocks two and three Chai Wan Resettlement
Estate, and outside 184 Des Voeux Road Central.
Of two found in new territories one was found outside chartered bank
in Tsuen Wan and other was found on Ping Chau Island,
Earlier in evening crowd of about 100/200 students and workers staged
demonstration at junction of Prince Edward Road and Nam Kok Road in
Kowloon City.
Crowd later dispersed before arrival of police but two teenagers aged
thirteen and fourteen were arrested by plain clothes policemen.
A banner was also seized.
OAG
Sent 0739 Recd 0212Z
12 September 1967 12 September 1967
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O.
H.K. & W.I.D. "C"
I. & G.D.
News Dept.
F.0. F.E.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
Overseas Labour Adviser
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES " .63
HIJD.
In
езд
1
En Clair
7
**
TOP COPY
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Unnumbered
UNCLASSIFIED
Press.
12 September 1967
121800 Attention Glover. Sitrep.
466
ни
Two boubs were found on Hong Kong Island this Tuesday ing but no
(repeat no) harm done. In a new twist a fake bomb was planted outside
Left-Wing newspaper Ching Po (repest Ching Po) Daily in Central
District.
ed
Employees of newspaper and large crowds of spectators as Army ammunition
experts examined and then detonated fake bomb.
Stiffer sentences are being handed out to Communist ter ists. Three
youths were today sentenced to jail terms ranging from four years to
eight years for possessing bombs and other offensive weapons.
In new territories police searched a village following report that a
group of people had been intimidating some villagers. However no arrests
were made.
Secretary of Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Solety Kr. Kam Pak
Cheung (repeat Kam Pak Cheung) said today confidence in Hong Kong's
future never been stronger.
People who rushed to buy gold at height of disturbances are now
(repeat now) selling out for hard cash he said.
Another gold dealer said daily gold sales had now (repeat now) returned
to normal.
"Everything is back to normal now and this certainly reflecta peoples
confidence in Hong Kong's continued prosperity" he sai Endit Informs.
O.A.G.
Sent 1900 /12 September 1967
Read 11432/12 September 1967
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O. H.K. & W.I.D. "C"
I. & G.D.
News Dept.
F.O, F.E., & P.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
O.L.A.
O.P.A.
FFFFF
вар
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 63
13 SEP1967
HWAY/;
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Carte
467
Returned with thanks.
Minister
Z
State has NOTES FOR MINISTER OF SIKIS FOR CABINET ME
TING, Town Waton
THURSDAY, 7TH SEPTEMBER
pre
To 12e (wi
The Minister of State may wish to inform his colleagues that the
situation within Hong Kong remains under firm control. Having failed to
get the support of the general public, the local Communists are now in
their frustration resorting to terrorism; this could seriously damage
public confidence if it became more widespread and continued over a long
period.
2. More detailed notes on various aspects of the situation are set out
below.
Terrorism
7219
3. The most notable recent feature of the Communist confrontation has
been their use of bombs and other explosive devices. In the fortnight to
4th September, nearly 700 bomb reports were made but only 100 proved to
be genuine. So far seven people have been killed and a large humber
injured. The campaign is placing a strain on bomb disposal teams and a
lot of their time is wasted on investigations of fake devices, the
possession of which has now been made an offence. There is no evidence
of a central authority directing this bomb campaign and it appears to be
in the hands of local groups; as a result the police task is more
difficult.
4. There has been public pressure for the introduction of the death
penalty for possession of bombs, explosives etc. The Governor has asked
for our views and the matter is still under consideration at official
level,
5. Six prominent Hong Kong Chinese have been listed for assassination in
Communist mosquito sheets now circulating. The need to afford protection
will further stretch the police; the threats cannot be ignored as the
Communists have already burned to death a radio personality whom they
had
threatened to kill.
The Press
6. Of all the measures taken by the Hong Kong authorities so far, action
against the pro-Communist Press has produced the strongest reaction from
Peking, as evinced by the Chinese ultimatum of 20th August and the
burning of our Babassy in Peking.
/7. No action
нар
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
2
7. No action has yet been taken against the major Communist organs, but
three of the smaller newspapers have been suspended for six months by
direction of the Courts and a number of persons connected with their
publication have been sentenced for sedition. The remaining Communist
Press continues to advocate violence. Communist reporters continue to
be found in circumstances indicating they are doing more than report the
riota, demonstrations, etc., and further arrests have been inevitable.
8.
The closure of the three newspapers was followed by the introduction
of Gestetnered broadsheets, distributed free and containing extracts
from other local Communist and Peking newspapers, incitements to
violence and threats to notables. They are produced in widely-scattered
premises, some undoubtedly in C.P.G.-owned presses. We are at present
considering a
proposal by the Governor to introduce emergency regulations to deal with
mosquito sheets.
Border Incidents
9. There have been a number of border incidents, usually involving
Chinese
civilians, many of whom work fields in British territory. After two
particularly unpleasant episodes at Man Kam To, the main road-crossing
point, the frontier was temporarily closed. There have also been
incidents against border installations at the railway crossing point, Lo
Wu, and
at Sha Tau Kok, where early in August five policemen were killed.
10. In general the Peoples Liberation Army has sought to prevent border
incidents by seeking to control the mass movement of Chinese civilians.
But it is clear that the Army will not go beyond a certain point, after
which the soldiers stand back and let the people through. Recently there
have been indications that the Chinese troops were showing a more
relaxed
attitude to the border situation.
11. Because of these incursions and because of reports of unsettled
conditions in Kwangtung Province which could produce a repetition of the
1962 influx of refugees, the Hong Kong Government have put in hand the
building of a 30-foot wide barbed wire barrier along the length (but
well to the south) of the border line.
/Food
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
3 -
- 3
Food and Water Supplies
12. The border disturbances and the unsettled state of Kwangtung
Province have caused food supplies from China to be erratic. There is no
indication of any deliberate attempt to hold up supplies; indeed, when
the road route at Man Kam To was closed, there was a compensating
increase in the volume of supplies coming in by sea. The main shortage
has arisen in the supply of pigs. As a result the price of pork has
increased but generally prices are firm. As a precaution, however, the
Hong Kong Government are examining the possibility of securing
alternative food supplies and have sent missions to Japan and South
Korea to this end. Enquiries are being made in London about alternative
meat supplies and also about securing advice on rationing schemes.
13. Rains at the end of August considerably eased the water supply
situation to the extent that the reservoirs now hold enough to maintain
a restricted supply until the end of the next dry season even if China
should fail to honour her obligation to resume her supplies on 1st
October (there is nothing to indicate that she proposes to default). In
addition,
the new Plover Cove reservoir is one-third full and salinity there is
gradually falling towards acceptable levels. Nonetheless, alternative
sources of supply are being sought and contingency plans prepared for
the transport of water to Hong Kong by tankers,
Trade and Industry
14. Hong Kong's economy must inevitably suffer some damage as a result
of Communist confrontation. The extent cannot be clearly seen at the
present time.
15. External trade figures show that exports continue to increase in a
substantial way. In June and July, they were 16% higher than in the
corresponding months last year. reflected until about October.
Any effect on order books will not be
Imports have fallen very slightly in the
last two months but this is attributable to the reduced trade with China
and the closure of the Suez Canal.
CONFIDENTIAL
/16. Trade
CONFIDENTIAL
4.
-
16. Trade with China has dropped off appreciably partly as a result of
China's internal troubles which has affected trade in food but
particularly because Chinese exports are often deliberately held up or
re-routed to maintain the fiction that Communist action is crippling the
working of the port. The Communists have made a particularly strong
effort in the sphere of shipping. Considerable pressures have been
applied to the Chinese crews of British ships which call at Chinese
ports and some vessels have had to
sail with men short.
17. Total bank deposits at the end of June were 15% below the total at
the
Chinese
end of December. But a lot of this reflects a typical preference to hold
their money in time of crisis and comparatively little of this is
believed to have left the Colony. There has been some reduction in the
inflow
of capital from abroad especially from South East Asia.
bus. Catter
Hong Kong Department,
6th September, 1967.
CONFIDENTIAL
хре
Items 468 and 469
to
HWB 14/40
муг
!
SECRET
Mr Carly M. Gaghmara
colored m
что
(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
OPDO (DR) (67) 36th looting
CABINET
COPY NO.
14
DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY (OFFICIAL) CONINTEL
DEFENCE REVIEW WORKING PARTY
KINUTES of a lecting of the Working Party held in Conference Room 'B',
Cabinet Office, S.W.1, on WEDNESDAY, 6th SETTCHBER 1967 at 2.30 p.m.
Ifr. R.A. Sykes,
Foreign Office
PRESENT:
Mr. P. Rogers,
Cabinet Office (In the Chair)
Group Captain W. Kent,
Ministry of Defence
Ir. E.. Rose,
Cabinet Office
lir. P. Nicholls,
Treasury
Ir. .S. Carter,
THE FOLLOWING WERE ALSO PRESENT:
Commonwealth Office
Hr. E. Bolland,
Foreign Office
ir. F. Cooper,
Ministry of Defence
SECRETARY:
Mr. N.C.C. Tronch
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.63
SUBJECT
13 SEP1967
R. Br.
in
HONG KONG
the dishes bonus file
This should go on
extinct of pares 304 should go
and an
HWA '/D
ный обра
the renforcement of gaivicar file + Hill
ART
12.9.67.
SECRET
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HONG KONG
SECRET
SECRET
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THE CHAIRMAN said that he had called the meeting to enable him to
convey to members of the Working Party tho general sense of the
discussion on our relations with China on 5th September in the Defence
and Oversea Folioy Committee. Ministers recognised the conflicting
factors which must govern policy vis-a-vis China and Hong Kong on the
one hand, the need not to prejudice the position of the Office of the
British Charge d'Affaires in Peking, and on the other, the necessity for
shoving firmness and maintaining control in Hong Kong. To do this, the
situation needed to be kopt under constant and careful review.
Everything necessary must be done to hold the situation in Hong Kong,
but possible repercussions on our staff in Peking and their dependants
must be borne in mind. This feeling amongst Ministers did not mean that
every decision need be put up to the Committee. On the contrary, it
should normally be possible to settle most problems bilaterally between
the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office, after consultation with
the Ministry of Defence as appropriate, and subject to reference to the
Ministers in charge of these Departments on all issues of particular
political delicacy.
In discussion, it emerged that there was no conflict between the
Departments concerned about the desirability of preserving a balance, so
far as possible, between the two factors involved. So far as procedure
was concerned, it seemed inevitable that Ministers would shortly have to
be consulted again, both about action against the Press in Hong Kong and
about the possible need to prescribe the death penalty for carrying
bombs.
As regards reinforcing the garrison of Hong Kong for the Chinose New
Year, the Committee were informed that the Ministers had not taken a
decision at their meeting on whether reinforcements were to be sent
before trouble started, or only in the event of trouble arising, but had
instructed that this be further considered as a matter of urgency. The
present position was that one extra battalion was already in Hong Kong
and that the Commander- in-Chief, Far East, wished it to stay there
until after 10th October. lie had been asked whether he wanted further
reinforcements and his roply was avaited. The view was expressed that
there might be political advantage in having an extra unit in the Colony
before the period when trouble was
-1-
SECRET
SECRET
likely to arise both in order to demonstrate our determination to act
firmly and so that there would be no delay in bringing in reinforcements
if trouble arose, thus permitting their further exacerbation. One
possible solution,
if any units in Hong Kong vero due for relief, might be to bring the
relioving unit into Hong Kong before the out-going one left.so that both
vero present over the period of Chinese celebrations in October.
Summing up the discussion, THE CHAINAN recalled that Ministers had boen
inclined to feel that prevention was better than curo. The Ministry
of Defence should consult the Foreign Office and Commonwealth Office
when the Commander-in-Chief's reply had been received and should keep
tho
Treasury informed of developments.
The Working Party
Invited the Ministry of Dafonoe to concert with the Commonwealth Office
and Foreign Office action on the possible reinforcement of the Hong Kong
garrison, and to keep the Treasury informed.
Cabinet Office, S.7.1.
7th September 1967
-2-
SECRET
CONFIDENTIAL
Category AC: no unclassified reply or reference
CONFIDENTIAL
From: CINC FE
To:
im. Garten. (Pana 1)
471
1107402 September
Date: 11.9.67.
Recd: 10122
}
Room 318.
AG
13,9.67
вар
Info:
MOD UK
Defence Canberra
NZ Defence Wellington
CINC ME
CBF Hong Kong
BDLS Canberra
PRIORITY
1.
2.
BDLS Wellington PRODROME Djakarta
UKREP KL
UKREP Singapore
AUSTDER Singapore
Ms. Gamyan a Это не ука
WARNING
PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED
NO UNCLASSIFIED REPLY OR REFERENCE-
TLL/SEACOS 142
For CDS, Chairman COSAUST, CDS NZ
Sitrep 11 Sep 67
Hong Kong
a.
a.
RECAVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 63
13 SEP 1967
HWATTIT
Border Area, Border has continued to remain quiet with farmers crossing
to work in peaceful manner.
Bomb planting. Reduction in number of true bombs being planted, only 34
in last six days. Number of false or hoax bombs continue at previous
daily average of 30 to 50.
Firework. HK Government has declared all fireworks to be illegal.
Operation to withdraw all fireworks continues without incident.
Demonstrations. Earlier tactic of unruly crowds agsemb- ling were
revived during weekend with 5 separate demons- trations in Kowloon.
Crowds, largest about 300, dispersed on arrival of police.
Bombs and bottles thrown but no casualties reported.
Aden. LPD FEARLESS left Singapore 9 Sep for Aden with RCT freight
handling team embarked.
3.
вен
MAJ GEM
Mc Mill C.O.
(3)
วา
Exercises.
8. PIPING SHRIKE, Sealift of 1 KSLI left Singapore for
Rockhampton on 5 Sep in ISL.
bo CLOUD. A Sqn of 22 SAS arrived from UK on 5 Sep for jungle training
including free fall parachuting.
TLL Dist.
BEAN SHOOT 3. 4 Hunters deployed from Tengah to Kai Tak for FAC and
weapon training. Aircraft arrived 8 Sep and scheduled to stay until 18
Sep.
1107402
Rush to CDS, DOC(4), MO1 Soc(AD), AFOR,
PS/CAS, DNOT sent 111025
CONFIDENTIAL
LW/170
0003230
G.F, 323
CONFIDENTIAL
rtment
B. STATF POSITION IN GOVERNMENT DEFARTZIENTS.
Position 6.9.67 (Figures for 11.5 - 30.8 in brackets)
Strongth prior to strikes/dismissals
Number involved
in strike or other political action.
Number dismissed/ nervicos terminated
Number Reinstated
472//2
Number recruited etc.
to fill posts in question.
Marine
1187
393 (393)
312 (312)
81 (81)
23 recruits (21) I transfer (1)
P.W.D. Waterworks
2325
415 (411)
283 (279)
132 (132)
P.W.D., G.E.M.E.
2421
266 (266)
264 (264)
2 (2)
P..D. Civil Engineering
2510
119 (119)
119 (129)
(-) -
Office
all posts effectively filled
19 recruits (14) 66 promotions (57) 6 transfers (3)
No new recruits but a number of regradings and promotions.
Resettlement
4537
39 (37)
37 (35)
2 (2)
39 (35)
Urban Services
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.