RESTRICTED
1076
MDLIAN 810
6. IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES SHOULD SEEK TO MAXIMISE BILATERAL CREDIT FROM ANY RELEASES OF POLITICAL PRISONERS WHICH THEY DEIGN TO MAKE. THEIR MAIN TARGET IS THE U.S.
(FOR MFN), BUT GERMANY IS THEIR PRIORITY IN EUROPE, AND THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN IMPROVING THEIR INTERNATIONAL IMAGE BEFORE THE 2000 OLYMPICS DECISION IS TAKEN IN SEPTEMBER. HOWEVER, WE DOUBT THAT THEY FEEL SECURE OR MAGNANIMOUS ENOUGH TO RELEASE WEI JINGSHENG, WHOSE CALLS FOR DEMOCRACY INCLUDED SHARP PERSONAL CRITICISM OF DENG XIAOPING AND WHO IS REPORTEDLY UNREPENTANT.
7. MEANWHILE THE HEAVY-HANDED CHINESE APPROACH TO THE EC EMBASSIES' VISIT TO TIBET LAST WEEK WILL HAVE DENTED CHINA'S IMAGE MORE THAN
THE EARLY RELEASE OF ONE OR TWO BATTERED DISSIDENTS CAN BURNISH IT.
MCLAREN
YYYY
MAIN
150
DISTRIBUTION
161
.CHINA POLITICAL
FED
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
INFO D
CONSULAR D
CRD
EASD/ODA//MR MOSSELMANS
EASD/ODA//MR MCCLEAN
ECD (E)
ECONOMIC ADVISERS
CFSP UNIT
ERD
HKD
HRPD
JOINT DIRECTORATE
NEWS D
PLANNERS
RAD
SAD
SEAD
PS
PS/BARONESS CHALKER
PS/MR GOODLAD
PS/PUS
MR LANKESTER MR APPLEYARD CHIEF CLERK
SIR J COLES MR AINSCOW
MR ALSTON
SIR M BURTON
MR HUM
MR BONE
MR MANNING
MR MASEFIELD
MR MUIR MR BEAMISH
ADDITIONAL 11
CAOFF//MR SANDARS
CAOFF//MISS NEVILLE-JONES
CAOFF//ASSESSMENTS STAFF
PS/PM
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