CONFIDENTIAL

4.

5.

Seek to develop discreet contacts with dissidents and their families, within the limits of normal diplomatic usage.

Target scholarships and technical assistance towards

training in key areas to promote institutional change.

(b) Action with EC/ G7 Partners

1. We should seek to pool information with EC partners and

other Western countries and develop a common policy on the

raising of human rights issues by high level visitors and

others. The aim should be to ensure a degree of

2.

[reporting theme] Migations]

consistency in what we say and do.

Join them in pressing the Chinese to adhere to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (This has particularly important implications for Hong

Kong; it might therefore be a specific objective of Lord Caithness' visit to try to make progress on this point). Press the Chinese also for the report they are overdue to

make to the UN Torture Committee.

(c) Action in London

1.

2.

3.

Ensure all Ministers and senior delegations visiting China

are briefed to raise human rights.

Increase contact with NGOs (such as Amnesty International and June 4 China Support Group) to improve flow of

information and ensure that they are aware of action taken by HMG. (The Tibet Support Groups who advocate Tibet's independence would need more careful handling).

Consider the case for contact with Chinese dissidents both

in UK and overseas. We might, for example, encourage our US posts to be in touch with figures like Fang Lizhi and Chai Ling and be ready to see them at official level if

CONE UNENTIAL

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