1967 Hong Kong riots


The 1967 Hong Kong riots were large-scale riots between pro-communists and their sympathisers, and the Hong Kong government. While originating as a minor labour dispute, the tensions later grew into large scale demonstrations against British colonial rule. Demonstrators clashed violently with the Hong Kong Police Force. Motivated by events in the People's Republic of China, demonstrators called for massive strikes and organised demonstrations, while the police stormed many of the demonstrators' strongholds and placed their active leaders under arrest. The colonial government banned left-wing publications and closed left-wing schools, and demonstrators retaliated by planting decoy and real bombs in the city. Several pro-Beijing protesters were beaten to death by police, and some members of the press who voiced their opposition to the demonstrators' cause were murdered.

Tensions

The initial demonstrations and riots were labour disputes that began as early as May 1967 in shipping, taxi, textile, cement companies and in particular the Hong Kong Artificial Flower Works, where there were 174 pro-communist trade unionists. The unions that took up the cause were all members of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions with strong ties to Beijing.
The political climate was tense in Hong Kong in the spring of 1967. To the north of the British colony's border, the PRC was in turmoil. Red Guards carried out purges and engaged in infighting, while the 12-3 incident sponsored by pro-Communists erupted in the Portuguese colony of Macau, to the west of Hong Kong, in December 1966.
Despite the intervention of the Portuguese army, order was not restored to Macau; and after a general strike in January 1967, the Portuguese government agreed to meet many of the left-wing demands, placing the colony under the de facto control of the PRC. The tension in Hong Kong was heightened by the ongoing Cultural Revolution to the north. Up to 31 protests were held.

Outbreak of violence

In May, a labour dispute broke out in a factory producing artificial flowers in San Po Kong.
Picketing workers clashed with management, and riot police were called in on 6 May. In violent clashes between the police and the picketing workers, 21 workers were arrested; many more were injured. Representatives from the union protested at police stations, but were themselves also arrested.
The next day, large-scale demonstrations erupted on the streets of Hong Kong. Many of the pro-communist demonstrators carried Little Red Books in their left hands and shouted communist slogans. The Hong Kong Police Force engaged with the demonstrators and arrested another 127 people. A curfew was imposed and all police forces were called into duty.
In the PRC, newspapers praised the demonstrators' activities, calling the British colonial government's actions "fascist atrocities".
In Hong Kong's Central District, large loudspeakers were placed on the roof of the Bank of China Building, broadcasting pro-communist rhetoric and propaganda, prompting the British authorities to retaliate by putting larger speakers blaring out Cantonese opera. Posters were put up on walls with slogans like "Blood for Blood", "Stew the White-Skinned Pig", "Fry The Yellow Running Dogs", "Down With British Imperialism" and "Hang David Trench", a reference to the then Governor. Students distributed newspapers carrying information about the disturbances and pro-communist rhetoric to the public.
On 16 May, the activists formed the Hong Kong and Kowloon Committee for Anti-Hong Kong British Persecution Struggle. Yeung Kwong of the Federation of Trade Unions was appointed as its chairman. The Committee organised and coordinated a series of large demonstrations. Hundreds of supporters from 17 different leftist organisations demonstrated outside Government House, chanting communist slogans. At the same time, many workers took strike action, with Hong Kong's transport services being particularly badly disrupted.
More violence erupted on 22 May, with another 167 people being arrested. The rioters began to adopt more sophisticated tactics, such as throwing stones at police or vehicles passing by, before retreating into left-wing "strongholds" such as newspaper offices, banks or department stores once the police arrived. Casualties began soon after. At least 8 deaths of the protestors were recorded before 1 July, mostly shot or beaten to death by the police.

The height of the violence

On 8 July, several hundred demonstrators from the PRC, including members of the People's Militia, crossed the frontier at Sha Tau Kok and attacked the Hong Kong Police, of whom five were shot dead and eleven injured in the brief exchange of fire. The People's Daily in Beijing ran editorials supporting the left-wing struggle in Hong Kong; rumours that the PRC was preparing to take over control of the colony began to circulate. The leftists tried in vain to organise a general strike; attempts to persuade the ethnic Chinese serving in the police to join the pro-communist movement were equally unsuccessful.
The British Hong Kong Government imposed emergency regulations, granting the police special powers in an attempt to quell the unrest. Left-wing newspapers were banned from publishing; left-wing schools were shut down; many activist leaders were arrested and detained, and some of them were later deported to the PRC.
The left-wing retaliated by planting bombs, as well as decoys, throughout the city. Normal life was severely disrupted and casualties began to rise. An eight-year-old girl, Wong Yee Man, and her two-year-old brother, Wong Siu Fan, were killed by a bomb wrapped like a gift placed outside their residence. Bomb disposal experts from the police and the British forces defused as many as 8000 home-made bombs, of which 1100 were found to be real. These were known as "pineapple" bombs.
On 19 July, demonstrators set up barbed wire defences on the 20-storey Bank of China Building.
In response, the police fought back and raided activist strongholds, including Kiu Kwan Mansion. In one of the raids, helicopters from HMS Hermes – a Royal Navy aircraft carrier – landed police on the roof of the building. Upon entering the building, the police discovered bombs and weapons, as well as a leftist "hospital" complete with dispensary and an operating theatre.
The public outcry against the violence was widely reported in the media, and the activists again switched tactics. On 24 August, Lam Bun, a popular anti-activist radio commentator, was murdered by a death squad posing as road maintenance workers as he drove to work with his cousin; prevented from getting out of his car, he was burned alive.
Other prominent figures of the media who had voiced opposition against the riots were also threatened, including Louis Cha, then chairman of the Ming Pao newspaper, who left Hong Kong for almost a year before returning.
The waves of bombings did not subside until October 1967. In December, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai ordered the left-wing groups in Hong Kong to stop all bombings; and the riots in Hong Kong finally came to an end. The disputes in total lasted 18 months.
It became known much later that, during the riots, the commander of PLA's Guangzhou Military Region Huang Yongsheng secretly suggested invading and occupying Hong Kong, but his plan was vetoed by Zhou Enlai.

Aftermath

Casualties

By the time the rioting subsided at the end of the year, 51 people had been killed, of whom at least 22 were killed by the police, and 15 died in bomb attacks, with 832 people sustaining injuries, while 4979 people were arrested and 1936 convicted. Millions of dollars in property damage resulted from the rioting, far in excess of that reported during the 1956 riot. Confidence in the colony's future declined among some sections of Hong Kong's populace, and many residents sold their properties and migrated overseas.
NameAgeDate of DeathComment
Chan Kong-sang141967-05-12An apprentice hairdresser, died in the course of riot at Wong Tai Sin Resettlement Area.
Tsui Tin-po 421967-06-08A worker in the Mechanics Division of the Public Works Department, died in custody at Wong Tai Sin Police Station after arrest.
Lai Chung 521967-06-08A Towngas worker, shot by police in a raid, then killed by drowning.
Tsang Ming 291967-06-08A Towngas worker, beaten to death by police in a raid.
Tang Chi-keung 301967-06-23A plastics factory worker, shot by police in a raid against a trade union.
Chau Chung-shing 341967-06-24A plastics factory worker, beaten to death by police after arrest.
Law Chun-kau 301967-06-24A plastics factory worker, beaten to death by police after arrest.
Lee On 451967-06-26A worker at Shaw Brothers, died while being admitted to hospital from a law court.
Fung Yin-ping 401967-07-08A police corporal, killed by militia from Mainland China at Sha Tau Kok border.
Kong Shing-kay 191967-07-08A police constable, killed by militia from Mainland China at Sha Tau Kok border.
Mohamed Nawaz Malik281967-07-08A police constable, killed by militia from Mainland China at Sha Tau Kok border.
Khurshid Ahmed271967-07-08A police constable, killed by militia from Mainland China at Sha Tau Kok border.
Wong Loi-hing 271967-07-08A police constable, killed by militia from Mainland China at Sha Tau Kok border.
Zhang Tiansheng 411967-07-08A militiaman from Mainland China, shot to death by Hong Kong Police at Sha Tau Kok border.
Cheung Chi-kong 321967-07-09A porter working in Western District, shot to death during a riot
Ma Lit 431967-07-09A porter working in Western District, shot to death during a riot
Lam Po-wah 211967-07-09A police constable, killed by a stray bullet during a riot
Choi Wai Nam 271967-07-10A rioter, shot to death by police in Johnston Road, Wan Chai.
Lee Chun-hing351967-07-10A furniture worker, beaten to death by protesters in Johnston Road, Wan Chai.
Li Sze 481967-07-11A rioter, shot to death by police at Johnston Road, Wan Chai.
Mak Chi-wah 1967-07-12A rioter, shot to death by police at Un Chau Street, Sham Shui Po.
'1967-07-12A rioter, shot to death by police at Soy Street, Mong Kok.
Ho Fung 341967-07-14A worker at Kowloon Dockyard, killed in police action against the Kowloon Dock Workers Amalgamated Union.
'1967-07-14A rioter, shot to death by police at Reclamation Street, Yau Ma Tei.
Yu Sau-man 1967-07-15A rioting employee of Wheelock Spinners, shot to death by police.
So Chuen 281967-07-26A worker from a textile factory, shot to death by police at Mong Kok while attacking a bus in service.
Ho Chuen-tim 1967-08-09A fisherman from Sha Tau Kok, arrested during a police raid against memorial meeting for killed workers on 24 June. Died on 9 August.
Wong Yee-man 81967-08-20An 8-year-old girl, killed, along with her younger brother, by a homemade bomb wrapped like a gift at Ching Wah Street, North Point.
Wong Siu-fan 21967-08-20Younger brother of Wong Yee Man.
Lam Bun 371967-08-25A radio commentator at Commercial Radio Hong Kong, killed by incendiary attack of a group of men posing as road maintenance workers during his way to office on 24 August. Died on 25 August.
Charles Workman261967-08-28A sergeant in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, killed when a homemade bomb he was defusing at Lion Rock exploded.
Ho Shui-kei 211967-08-29A rioting mechanical worker, shot to death by police at Tung Tau Village, Wong Tai Sin.
Lam Kwong-hoi 1967-08-29A technician at Commercial Radio Hong Kong, killed by incendiary attack with his elder cousin Lam Bun during his way to office on 24 August. Died on 29 August.
Aslam Khan221967-09-03A firefighter, killed by a homemade bomb during defusing.
Cheung Chak 381967-09-03A rioting bus driver, wounded in police shooting on 30 August. Died of pneumonia on 3 September.
Yau Chun-yau 1967-09-20A Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club worker, killed by explosion of his own bomb near barracks at Kam Tsin, Sheung Shui.
Lo Hon-bun 1967-10-01A rioter, killed by police shooting.
To Hung-kwong 191967-10-13A police constable, killed by bomb in Wanchai
Tong Tak-ming Peter 181967-10-14A middle school student, killed by bomb in Wanchai.
Ronald J. McEwen371967-11-05A senior police inspector, killed by bomb in Causeway Bay while trying to clear area. Many injured.
PC Sit Chun-hung1967-11-28Stabbed to death by in Shek Kip Mei
PC Lee Koon-san1967-12-9Shot to death by in Kam Tin

NamePrisoner no.Date of DeathComment
Tsang Tin-sung273811968-01-27A 32-year-old worker who took part in Mong Kok Riot on July 15, 1967, sentenced to 14 months in jail. Found dead after hanging himself in the morning of January 27, 1968.
Tang Chuen280171969-12-29Chairman of a pro-communist workers union who initiated a riot in Taikoo Dockyard on June 6, 1967, sentenced to 6 years in jail. Died from liver diseases in Queen Mary Hospital on December 29, 1969.

Reactions

On 22 August, in Beijing, thousands of people demonstrated outside the office of the British chargé d'affaires, before Red Guards attacked and ransacked the main building, and then burned it down.

1960s left-wing groups

Many left-wing groups with close ties to the PRC were destroyed during the riots of 1967. The murder of radio host Lam Bun, in particular, outraged many Hong Kong residents. The credibility of the PRC and its local sympathisers among Hong Kong residents was severely damaged for more than a generation.

New left-wing groups and legacy

Some of the members who participated in the 1967 riot have since regained a foothold in Hong Kong politics during the early 1990s. Tsang Tak-sing, a communist party supporter and riot participant, later became the founder of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. Along with his brother Tsang Yok-sing, they continued to promote Marxism in Hong Kong.
In 2001, Yeung Kwong, a pro-Communist party activist of the 1960s, was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal under Tung Chee-hwa, a symbolic gesture that raised controversy as to whether the post-1997 Hong Kong government of the time was approving the riot.
In 2017, hundreds of protesters who took part in the 1967 riots were hailed as heroes in a memorial ceremony at Wo Hop Shek public cemetery to mark the 50th anniversary of the uprising. Former finance sector lawmaker Ng Leung-sing and the Federation of Trade Unions' Michael Luk Chung-hung, along with Chan Shi-yuen, head of 67 Synergy Group were some of the prominent attendees. They called for Beijing to vindicate the protests, which they have continued to refer to as a "patriotic act against British colonial tyranny".

Social reforms

The 1966 and 1967 riots in Hong Kong served as a catalyst for social reforms in Hong Kong, with the implementation of positive non-interventionism in 1971, while David Trench grudgingly introduced some social reforms, it was not until Murray MacLehose greatly expanded the scope of reforms which transformed lives of residents in Hong Kong, thus becoming one of the Four Asian Tigers. The 1970s marked starting of the Lion Rock Spirit.

Legacy

The Hong Kong Police Force was applauded for its behaviour during the riots by the British Government. In 1969, Queen Elizabeth granted the Police Force the privilege of the "Royal" title. This title was to remain in use until the end of British rule in 1997.
Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing went on to become Hong Kong's most important Chinese real estate developer. Chinese philosopher and educator Chien Mu, founder of the New Asia College, left for Taiwan. He was appointed to the Council for Chinese Cultural Renaissance by President Chiang Kai-shek.

HK Police revisionism controversy

In mid-September 2015, media reported that the Hong Kong Police had made material deletions from its website concerning "police history", in particular, the political cause and the identity of the groups responsible for the 1967 riots, with mention of communists and Maoists being expunged.
For example, "Bombs were made in classrooms of left-wing schools and planted indiscriminately on the streets" became "Bombs were planted indiscriminately on the streets"; the fragment "waving aloft the Little Red Book and shouting slogans" disappeared, and an entire sentence criticising the hypocrisy of wealthy pro-China businessmen, the so-called "red fat cats" was deleted.
The editing gave rise to criticisms that it was being sanitised, to make it appear that the British colonial government, rather than activists, were responsible. Stephen Lo, the new Commissioner of Police, said the content change of the official website was to simplify it for easier reading; Lo denied that there were any political motives, but his denials left critics unconvinced. The changes were subsequently reversed.

Depiction in the media