CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 020/6.
60
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·R52/5
Miss Massin
Mc woolyv
Mir Comman
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3/5
Mr McLaren
From
From:
A NR Millington
Far Eastern Department
Date:
28 April 1989
W
28/4
CC:
PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore
PS/Lord Glenarthur
CHINA:
1.
STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS
Mr Paul, HKD
Mr Wye, RD
58
Since my submission of 25 April, there has been another major demonstration in Peking involving, according to the Western press, some 100,000 students. This took place in defiance of an official prohibition and clear signals that the
Nonetheless the authorities' patience was at an end.
A State Council
authorities continued to react with restraint and the demonstration was peaceful and non violent. spokesman on 27 April offered direct dialogue with the students 'at any time' provided that there was a suitably 'calm and reasonable' atmosphere (with the students back on campus) and that it was conducted through 'appropriate channels' (which he specified as the official All-China Students Federation).
2. The British press has again made a great deal of the incident, highlighting the sympathy that the demonstrations were gathering from the ordinary workers and people of Peking and the authorities' apparent concession in agreeing to talks with the students. The Financial Times describes it as
'China's largest protest since the Cultural Revolution and one of the most significant challenges to the authority of the Party since 1949', and predicts a shakeout in the leadership
In a similar vein and some concession to political reform. the Independent speaks of 'a resounding popular rebuke to the leadership' and the Times of 'a new era in Chinese politics'.
Peking
3. We continue to believe that the press may have over estimated the extent and significance of these events. telno 721 describes a much less spectacular event than that given in the press. The students have undoubtedly shown their They defiance of the authorities in making the demonstration. have also shown the continuing strength of their organisation. But in neither case does this seriously threaten the stability of the Chinese state. The large and sympathetic crowds described by the press are probably in large part simple spectators enjoying the fun rather than committed sympathisers. The apparent concession offered by the authories not not imply any willingness to accede to the students demands for political reform. They have made their views on that abundantly clear as I noted in my submission of
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CONFIDENTIAL