CONFIDENTIAL
concerns
So can selected Parliamentary delegations. Senior Chinese
visitors to London can also be reminded of our continuing
about human rights. (Vice-Premier Zou Jiahua is an
obvious candidate). The higher the level at which our
are expressed the more the message will go home.
concerns
(b) Expert Discussions. We should promote a continuing working
level dialogue through the Embassy, through visits by
specialists from London and perhaps by the despatch of a human
rights delegation or delegations. The aim should be to secure better information about Chinese law and practice (eg over
religious freedom and legal guarantees, to explore what the Chinese mean by such concepts as freedom of expression and counter revolutionary offences, and to promote our own views among relevant Chinese officials).
(c) Institutional Change. The best route here is through careful
targetting of scholarships and technical assistance so that
training is provided in key areas.
Specific Proposals
11. The following is a list of specific ideas. It is not intended
to be exhaustive:
(a) Action by the Embassy
1.
2.
3.
Continue to press the VFA for an early substantive response to the list handed over during the Prime Minister's visit, and in particular for the release of the Hong Kong three.
Initiate a dialogue with officials on the lines envisaged in paragraph 10 (b) above.
Develop a programme of visits to courts, local level
elections
etc.
CONFIDENT LAL