CONFIDENTIAL
TIBET
4. Chaozhu analysed the current situation in terms of a conflict between hard-liners in China and the moderates who favoured a dialogue with the Dalai Lama. He feared that public comment in the UK, particularly a debate in either House, could create a backlash and tip the balance in favour of the hard-liners. Lord Glenarthur explained the terms of our democracy to the Ambassador and said that, if there were debate, the Chinese should focus not on any extreme interventions that might be made, but on the statement of the Government's own position.
5. Chaozhu seemed particularly to fear the prospect of a debate in the House of Lords. It is therefore interesting that he has invited himself to tea with Lord Derwent immediately after your meeting this afternoon. I am minuting separately about Lord Glenarthur's own conversation with Lord Derwent.
HONG KONG
6.
Lord Glenarthur recounted the problems we were having with the media about our policies on Hong Kong. It would be helpful if the Chinese could also make public statements or place articles making clear their own commitment to the implementation of the Joint Declaration and to the future of Hong Kong. Chaozhu (to whom the suggestion seemed a new one) said that he thought this was a good idea.
Lord Glenarthur would be grateful if you could follow up on this at your meeting this afternoon.
7.
14 March 1989
obert Cowt
Robert Court
PS/Lord Glenarthur
ROBERT COURT