48
STATEMENT ON EVENTS IN CHINA AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR
HONG KONG
With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to make a
statement about events in China in recent weeks.
During the last few days, units of the Chinese Army
have been engaged in the violent suppression of peaceful
and popular demonstrations in the streets of Peking. The
indiscriminate and unprovoked use of military force has
caused the death or injury of thousands of students and
other innocent civilians.
The British Government and other governments had,
since recent disturbances began, urged on the Chinese
authorities a policy of dialogue and non-violence. After
a period in which a peaceful outcome had looked possible,
the brutal actions of the Chinese Army have sent shock
waves round the world. I am sure that all members of the
House will share that sense of horror and join in the
international condemnation of the slaughter of innocent
people.
I summoned the Chinese Charge d'Affaires yestereday. I told him that the British Government and people were united in condemning the merciless treatment of peaceful
demonstrators, and deeply deplored the use of force to
suppress the democratic aspirations of the Chinese
people.
I told the Charge that the British Government
looked to the Chinese authorities to fulfil their
obligations to Hong Kong in the Joint Declaration.