DOUGLAS HURD, CBE.
/
MP.,
2 :
CONFIDENTIAL
As regards democracy and human rights in China, I
elaborated the keen interest of international society including
Japan and emphasised that China needs constantly to take
positive and visible steps in this area. The Chinese leaders
repeated their known position citing their interpretation of
human rights in the development process. Quick and dramatic
improvement may not be expected. Nevertheless, it is important
for us all to keep on reminding them of our interest at every
possible occasion.
As regards arms control and disarmament, while
indicating our appreciation on China's recent positive
attitudes, I urged the Chinese leaders to take a more positive
attitude to the question of the transfer of conventional
the accession to the NPT and the observance of MTCR guidelines.
The Chinese leaders responded that China has always taken a
disciplined attitude vis-a-vis arms control and disarmament, and
that the accession to the NPT was ratified by the Standing
Committee of the National People's Congress at the end of the
1991. They also said that China expressed her intention to
observe the MTCR guidelines when the U. S. Secretary of State
Mr. James Baker III, visited China. They expressed, however,
their views that the U. S. has since changed her policy about the
package which was then agreed between China and the U. S., and now
proposes new conditions, as a result of which there has not been
any progress.
Cont./....