CONFIDENTIAL
SEGRET
X
involving corruption by the Chinese Public Security
Bureau (PSB), the Hong Kong authorities decided to seek
an assurance from the Chinese that Tang and Yang would
not suffer prosecution or mistreatment upon their return to China. The Chinese were unable (or unwilling) to
provide such a guarantee, so on these grounds (not
because they had a good political case), the authorities decided to let them remain in Hong Kong. Hong Kong have
suggested that the fact that she has not been granted
political asylum may explain why she is having difficulties going elsewhere, (although they have no evidence that this is so).
3.
Hong Kong have advised that extreme caution should be
exercised in replying to the letter from Ms Whitfield.
The Hong Kong Government have never publicly confirmed
that asylum seekers have been allowed to stay in Hong Kong, and have consistently refused to comment on questions about the matter. So far they have received
remarkable cooperation in this from the press.
By and
large, the press have appreciated that any publicity
would make it politically difficult for us to continue helping those in need. Giving more information on the
matter would risk opening up a discussion which we have
gone to great lengths to prevent. Hong Kong have
therefore suggested the enclosed draft reply.
R Gozney
Page 60Page 61