I
When I asked Francis Maude to visit Peking I expected criticism.
was not mistaken. I can understand why some people saw it as
evidence that we had turned a blind eye to the events of Tiananmen
Square, and as an ill-timed breach of the EC embargo on high level
visits to China. I also knew, and Francis Maude said as much, that
we could not expect to agree with the Chinese government on many of
the issues. But the case for asking him to go was overriding.
We cannot forget or forgive the events of 4 June 1989. We were
right to take measures against China, and we must keep up the
pressure for democracy and human rights. But the West also has at
some point to resume political contacts with China. She is the most
populous nation on earth; a nuclear power; and a
earth; a nuclear power; and a permanent member of
the Security Council. She has a major part in global and regional
issues. And for Britain, as our EC partners have recognised, our
unique responsibility for Hong Kong means that we do have to carry
on contacts with Peking.
other
We have had contacts with senior Chinese officials since June 1989.
Francis Maude's visit was a logical and sensible next step given the
important business we have with China. The Hong Kong people
welcomed it.
was eased by the recent lifting of martial law in
Peking and Lhasa and the release of some political prisoners :
welcome but only limited steps towards improving human rights.
Francis Maude made clear before he left that he would be pressing
for more
and he did. There is absolutely no basis for accusations
of appeasement.
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In seven years Britain's lease on Hong Kong runs out. There is no
escaping that. It is not a`comfortable position for the people of Hong Kong; but we will not help them by refusing to have anything to do with China's leaders. In fact, at bottom we and the Chinese have
similar interests in seeing Hong Kong prosperous, stable and
dynamic. We because of our long historic responsibility; the
Chinese, because of the contribution Hong Kong can make to China's
modernisation.
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