NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
SECRET
2
its stability and prosperity depend on the
maintenance of an orderly and peaceful society.
With particular reference to the more recent
views expressed by the Chinese Government on
Hong Kong, the British Government wish to make
their policies completely clear. It has been
the consistent policy of the British Government
to ensure that all sections of the Hong Kong
community enjoy the right to live and work freely
within the normal framework of law and order.
The British Government do not favour, discriminatı
against, or persecute any section of Hong Kong
society, and they recognise the right of all
Hong Kong residents to freedom of expression
within the law. This includes the personal
right to study the Works of Chairman Mao Tse-tung
and the right to engage in activities associated
with this study provided that they are within
the framework of the law, which provides
protection of the rights of all persons without
discrimination.
The British Government recognise that in
the light of recent events the position of
certain categories of persons now serving prison
sentences in Hong Kong may be of special
interest to the C.P.G. The release of prisoners
before the normal expiry of their sentence would
present serious difficulties; these difficulties
would be especially great in regard to the
release in Hong Kong of the persons concerned.
However, the British Government are prepared to
consider the possibility of allowing certain
of these prisoners, with the agreement of the
Chinese Government, to go to China to reside.
SPOREA
/The