TNAG-1877-FCO40-2668-Student-demonstrations-and-internal-political-situation-in-C-1989 — Page 56

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TO DESKBY 06010OZ HONG KONG

TELNO 1199

OF 05200OZ JUNE 89

AND TO DESKBY 06010OZ UKREP JLG HONG KONG, PEKING

FROM PAUL, HKD

MIPT: STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE HOUSE.

1.

WITH YOUR PERMISSION MR SPEAKER I SHOULD LIKE TO MAKE A

STATEMENT ABOUT THE EVENTS IN PEKING OVER THE WEEKEND. I AM SURE

THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE WILL SHARE DEEP SENSE OF SHOCK AND

OUTRAGE AT THE SLAUGHTER OF CIVILIANS BY THE CHINESE ARMED FORCES.

2.

IT IS CLEAR FROM REACTIONS HERE IN BRITAIN AND ABROAD THAT

INTERNATIONAL OPINION IS UNITED IN CONDEMNING THE CHINESE

AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR RECOURSE TO VIOLENCE. I SUMMONED THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES YESTERDAY TO MAKE CLEAR OUR

CONDEMNATION AND TO TELL HIM THAT WE LOOKED TO THE CHINESE

AUTHORITIES TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY

OF ALL BRITISH CITIZENS IN CHINA.

3.

IN

OUR AMBASSADOR IN PEKING AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING

ROUND THE CLOCK TO CHECK ON THE SAFETY OF BRITISH CITIZENS AND

HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS IN PEKING AND, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, OTHER PARTS OF CHINA. SOME BRITISH JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN BEATEN BY THE CHINESE MILITARY. NO REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED OF LOSS

OF LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY.

4.

IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF CONTINUING NORMAL BUSINESS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS: A) ALL SCHEDULED MINISTERIAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN BRITAIN AND

CHINA HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. THE VISIT OF THE CHINESE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, WHO WAS DUE TO ARRIVE HERE ON WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE, HAS BEEN CANCELLED. MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND, THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD, HAS ALSO CANCELLED HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO CHINA. ALL FURTHER VISITS WILL BE KEPT

UNDER REVIEW.

B) THE PROPOSED VISIT OF TRH THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES TO CHINA IN NOVEMBER WILL NOT TAKE PLACE SO LONG AS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATROCITIES OVER THE PAST WEEKEND REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

C) WE SHALL SUSPEND FORTHWITH ALL HIGH LEVEL MILITARY

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