TNAG-0918-FCO40-1129-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 16

CONFIDENTIAL

A M Simons Esq

South-East Asian Department

F CO

HUMAN RIGHTS: DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA

2

18223/

MN Quentin

to see

13 September, 1977

HKK 240/2

2 1 SEP 277

31

20

con Taken

No

레이

Om

Thank you for your letter of 21 August about the deplorable record of Democratic Kampuchea in the matter of human rights. I am leaving Hong Kong in two days' time, but I thought I would get something back to you fairly soon in view of the Secretary of State's interest. However, you may wish to have a word about the problem with David Wilson, my successor, before he leaves for Hong Kong about 27 October. Charles Drace-Francis vill be holding the fort in the meantime here.

2.

There is of course no official Cambodian "trade representation" as such in liong Kong. The situation is that we have given three-month visas (with the possibility of renewal) to a couple of Cambodian merchants. We expect a lady secretary to join them soon. They have set up a private company (the Ren Fung) in accordance with all Hong Kong's laws and regulations. The people concerned are overseas Chinese. It was an arrangement instigated in Peking and presumably has the blessing of the Chinese authorities. The company's premises are located in a Chinese communist bank building.

3.

Any discussion of human rights here involves "beam in our own eyes" difficulties, partly because there may be critics of our policy of repatriation of Chinese refugees but mainly because of the well-known constitutional position of iong Kong where there is no normal democratic process. I therefore see some difficulty about what you propose in your letter of 31 August.

A.

For example, Hong Kong is proud of its tradition as a free port and a free market. We normally want to have the minimum interference with genuine trade and commercial activities. thought To take such action to prevent the passage or stay in Hong Kong

Asi

Dru

of bona fide businessmen would mark a new departure and be against the main stream of the philosophy here.

2014.

CONFIDENTIAL

/contd..