CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY PEKING
TELNO 643
OF 201827Z OCTOBER 93
INFO PRIORITY WASHINGTON, BONN, PARIS, TOKYO INFO PRIORITY UKREP JLG HONG KONG, HONG KONG INFO SAVING BTCO TAIPEI
{
167 5 MDLOAN 3487
PERSONAL FOR HEADS OF MISSION
HONG KONG PERSONAL FOR POLITICAL ADVISER
PART TWO OF THREE: INFORMAL TALKS ON CHINA
HUMAN RIGHTS
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9. There was general agreement that although Chinese presentation had become somewhat more sophisticated eg. now listened when we raised human rights issues - · there was little or no progress of substance. Lord believed that on balance the Chinese had been moving backwards (crack-down in Shanghai, Han Dongfang, events in Tibet). Shattuck had achieved no breakthroughs, but had suggested priority areas where Chinese movement would be helpful for MFN. These included visits to prisons by international organisations, dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama, release of and accounting for political prisoners. Wallau and Ikeda were more inclined to give China the benefit of the doubt (release of Wei Jingsheng, move of Wang Juntao to hospital, publication of a figure for political prisoners - 3,600).
10.
In discussion of methods to improve Chinese behaviour, the US MFN Leverage was seen to be special. All partners raised human rights bilaterally as part of their discussions with China, although Japan felt a bit constrained by its WWII record. The UK and Germany were trying to assist and promote legal reform CLord Howe mission, seminar in November in Hamburg etc.). Japan mentioned action in the UN Commission on Human Rights. Scholarships could be used to help understanding of human rights. They might even be used to help the Tibetans, together with project aid dispensed via NGOs. Germany suggested greater coordination on Tibet. The Dalai Lama is to visit France in early November and have high-level meetings. The Japanese would Let him visit Japan privately but not meet Ministers.
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