Combined Operations—Hong Kong Style
| Published date | 01 December 1967 |
| Date | 01 December 1967 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X6704001203 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
"P
.J • C ."
(jOMBINED
OPERATIONS-
DONG
KONG
STYLE
Early in May this year, local communist organizations in
Hong Kong launched acampaign to disrupt
the
security of the
Colony.
The
campaign began with the exploitation of labour
disputes,
but
these were soon forgotten as its engineers discarded
pretence
and
turned to
their
real objective - a direct political
confrontation with the British
and
Hong Kong Governments
similar to that which the Portuguese authorities
had
faced in
Macao during the latter half of 1966.
In dealing with this situation, the police displayed acalm,
steadfast conduct
and
determined discipline that earned the
highest praise not only of the Hong Kong community
but
of
the world press who observed
and
recorded the events. These
qualities also singled
out
the police force as a primary target
for the virulent propaganda with which the organizers of the
disturbances gave vent to the frustrations which the police action
had engendered.
The
propaganda mounted in hysteria as the
communist-inspired riots
and
disorders met with increasingly
firmer measures adopted by the police, who were backed by
emergency legislation drafted to meet these contingencies
and
were supported by the overwhelming majority of the populace.
Failing in their efforts to discredit the authorities, disaffect
the people
and
demoralize both, the instigators switched their
tactics to a strategy of harassment
and
sabotage, attacking the
economy
and
disrupting public transport. Strikes were attempted
in
the
bus, tram, taxi
and
ferry services, food markets,
harbour
facilities and public utilities. Workers were induced to par-
ticipate with offers of strike pay
and
other supposed benefits
and, when these were rejected, by open threats
and
intimidation.
Some initial success was gained,
but
the firm stand taken by
the Government, the companies concerned
and
the public at large
soon resulted in another failure for the communists, who fell far
short of their ambitions in this field.
The
partial strikes caused in-
convenience
but
transport services, though sometimes greatly
reduced, continued to operate and Hong Kong's patient and
persevering people continued to get to work and proceed about
their business.
As an expression of barely concealed spite for the defeat of
endeavours that
had
cost them a great deal financially
and
in
loss of reputation, the communists returned to "tactics of un-
disguised violence
and
street disturbances erupted once more,
December 1967 " 543
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