CONFIDENTIAL
716
MDLIAN 1568
REDUCE THE SENTENCES OF THOSE STILL HELD SINCE 1989. VAN WALSUM (DUTCH POLITICAL DIRECTOR) HELD MEETINGS WITH RELATIVES OF TWO IMPRISONED DISSIDENTS (CHEN ZEMING AND REN WANDING).
6.
HONG KONG CAME UP BRIEFLY IN THE DISCUSSION WITH QIAN QICHEN WHO SAID THAT THE BASIS FOR DEALING WITH HONG KONG WAS CLEARLY SET OUT IN THE JD AND THE AIRPORT MOU. NO DRAMATIC CHANGES (EG IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM) SHOULD BE MADE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF BRITISH RULE. THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON ADMINISTERING THE TERRITORY. MOST CHINESE THOUGHT THE AIRPORT TOO EXPENSIVE. FAT CONTRACTS WERE BEING GIVEN TO BRITISH FIRMS. QIAN QUOTED A CHINESE PROVERB, 'I INVITE THE GUESTS, YOU FOOT THE BILL'.
7. THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER IS DUE TO COME HERE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MANILA MEETING.
MCLAREN
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
65
MAIN
61
FED
WED
SEAD
ECONOMIC ADVISERS
ERD
ESED
HKD
JOINT DIRECTORATE
NPDD
RAD
EASD/ODA
PS
PS/MR GOODLAD PS/PUS
SIR J COLES
MR MILES
MR HUM
MR MASEFIELD
MR BONE
MR MANNING
MR GREENSTOCK
ADDITIONAL
DTI//HD PEP
DTI//OT2/2A MR LOVE
DTI//LAWRENCE OT2/2
CAOFF/MR BEVAN
PAGE 2 CONFIDENTIAL