Inner London’s caning ban and forgery of the Thai leader’s signature: headlines from 40 years ago
- A journey back through time to look at significant news and events reported by the South China Morning Post from this week in history
School caning being banned in the Inner London area and a man forging the Thai prime minister’s signature to buy agricultural equipment made the news four decades ago this week.
September 16, 1979
● Former US President Richard Nixon warned of a nuclear war unless the world supplied arms to strengthen China’s defence. Nixon elaborated: “A weak China – weak economically and weak militarily – invites aggression and increases the danger of war in Asia and in the world. It is in the interests of all nations … to contribute to the extent possible in strengthening the PRC.”
● Mainland Chinese illegal immigrants trying to reach Hong Kong by sea had added a new dimension to their tactics – professional swimmers, who “trail herd” batches of immigrants in the water from the mainland to Hong Kong. Military sources said the professionals were experts on popular crossing points such as Mirs Bay and were very adept at evading local marine patrols.
