whom
e future depends; and the threats China's
communist leaders see from corruption, personal greed and
a desire for greater freedoms. Put in these terms the
issues are too stark to raise directly, although both Hu
Yaobang and Li Peng have been much concerned with them
during their careers and must think about them
constantly. The notes we have provided seek to probe the
subjects without either provoking or causing the Chinese
to clam up.
Anything said about recent Commonwealth visitors to
China would be interesting. Mr Mulroney's discussion of
human rights with Premier Zhao attracted some press
interest, especially in Hong Kong (see attached report in
the Hong Kong Standard of 13 May). For Mr Hawke's recent
visit (when he was accompanied by Mr Hu on a provincial
tour) his interpreter was a member of the Australian High
Commission here. We hope to get some further impressions
from him of what is uppermost in Mr Hu's mind and send
these before the weekend.
B