I must say that even if the facts were clearer, I do
not at present see scope for public comment or
representations to the Chinese Government by Her
Majesty's Government. Apart from other considerations,
such intervention would almost certainly be ineffective
and, particularly in view of the Chinese Government's
historic suspicions of British interests in Tibet,
it might even be counter-productive.
It would not be either proper or practical for me to
seek to encourage the media to report news of
developments in Tibet in any particular way.
of course rely on the objectivity of the BBC's
External Services.
We can
As for Hong Kong, as you know the confidential Sino-
British talks which are taking place in Peking have
the common aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability
and prosperity. This basis for the talks gives grounds
for confidence that a satisfactory negotiated
settlement can be reached.