UNCLASSIFIED
Human Rights
- Raised regularly both bilaterally and during Presidency on
behalf of EC partners. Signs of increased willingness to listen (though not necessarily to act).
Lord Howe's mission successful, good programme. Still await
final report.
With incoming Clinton administration and Danish EC Presidency
human rights likely to have increased profile.
Chinese Foreign Policy/Arms Sales
Evidence of greater assertiveness in foreign policy, notably
over attitude to territorial disputes in South China Sea
(Spratley and Paracel Islands).
- Combined with military modernisation (including important
transfers of equipment and technology from Russia) may well give
course for regional concern.
-Chinese apparently selling military technology to Syria and Pakistan. Also selling civil nuclear technology to Iran.
for concern.
Cause
Multilateral
Changes in world order, notably in Russia/FSU, likely to
elevate China's status in world affairs.
www
Hope to encourage China to take responsible role in multilateral fora, particularly over arms transfers and
environmental issues.
spknotes5193
UNCLASSIFIED