ال
J S Chick Esq
SPD FCO
SECRET
Ponte al X take
ito acconis in label toreficiel лабеет
to Canberra
(26/1)
Enter
MKK040/6
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
30 JAN 1984
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
<
REGISTRY
Action Taken
CM7/2
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
CANBERRA
11 January 1984
We need, and will no doubs receive,
The
views of thes
on Area 3.
te, chic 231,
Copy to m. Clife.
2. M. White
Dean
Jim John,
HONG KONG:
A
BRIEFING THE AUSTRALIANS
1. During the course of discussions here with officials about Mr Hawke's forthcoming visit to the Far East, one point which has emerged clearly is that the Australians are beginning to look ahead to the problems in their relationship with China that will stem from China's restrictive policy on human rights. In particular, we have been referred to a speech given by Professor Geoffrey Blainey (copy enclosed, see especially page 4). Briefly, the argument is that the initial euphoria at the growth of contacts between Australia and China will die away and more attention will be focussed here on the fact that, whilst the Chinese are taking steps towards a more liberal economic regime, their performance on human rights remains as totalitarian as almost anywhere else in the world. Indeed, DFA are recommending that Mr Hawke raise this with the Chinese, saying in effect that whilst the Australians have so far avoided raising human rights issues in public, the Chinese must understand that there is likely to be a growing concern about these issues within Australia and must be prepared for criticism. Officials propose to brief Mr Hawke to argue that the nature of Australian society is such that the Australian Government cannot prevent these criticisms, and indeed would not wish to.
2. It seems to us that the DFA's line of thought may have some implications for the way that we present our case to the Australians, and in particular to Mr Hayden, on Hong Kong It may help us to get away from the image, which still persists in some minds, of a colonial power trying to hang on to a lucrative colony. There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate the reluctance of Hong Kong Chinese to live under a PRC government. According to the "Far East Economic Review", opinion polls in mid-1982 showed that 95% of Hong Kong Chinese considered that a continuation of the status quo would be acceptable. 22% said they would "try every means to leave" if Hong Kong reverted to China. 86% said that the most important aspect of the status quo was freedom of choice. I am sure there is also plenty of other evidence.
SECRET
13.
77)