TNAG-1871-FCO40-2659-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1989 — Page 16

ISN'T THIS THKING THE LEAD?

CONFIDENTIAL

"(HERD ON?)

may

partners' willingness to tackle the Chinese on human

rights. And the response so far has been disappointing,

with clear signs that some, particularly the French,

not be prepared to grasp the nettle. We have an early opportunity to raise the matter again at the forthcoming

meeting of the Asia Working Group (AWG) on 16 March.

recommend that we mention there our interest in a wider

discussion of human rights in China and give notice of

our intention to circulate a note in advance of the next

AWG meeting on 30 May.

I

8. We shall also need to keep in touch with the

Americans (paragraph 13), who will no doubt be giving serious thought to the matter following the Fang Lizhi episode during President Bush's recent visit to Peking.

I recommend that we take advantage of Mr Gillmore's visit to Washington on 20/21 March for a preliminary exchange

of views.

B

9. I understand the Secretary of State takes the view.

that, in the light of the advice of Sir D Wilson, he might wish to give a fuller exposition soon of our stance on human rights in China (including Tibet). I agree that there would be merit in doing this, perhaps next week, by

which time we shall be clearer as to what the Twelve are

prepared to do. We are consulting News Department and shall submit again.

вта треват

WB McCleary

CS 8AAU

4

CONFIDENTIAL