TNAG-1879-FCO40-2670-Student-demonstrations-and-internal-political-situation-in-C-1989 — Page 25

From the Private Secretary

CONFIDENTIAL

(7 MON

the Milliston, f()

10 DOWNING STREET

LONDON SWIA 2AA

HKB 020/14

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PS

145

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PS /Lord Glewith PS/he tag

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Mi Mclaren

at HKD...

RJP25/0

28 June 1989

RO3

זיי

Dear Bob,

Miss Mansin Mr You

CHINESE STUDENTS

29/

me Kamaz

A group of five Chinese students came to see the Prime Enterops.

Minister this morning on behalf of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association.

said the group were very grateful that the Prime Minister had agreed to see them and appreciated the strong manner in which the British Government had condemned recent events in China. They hoped that the Government would suspend all high level visits to and from China so giving the Chinese regime any excuse for suggesting that the events were being forgotten. However, their main concern was to discuss ways in which Britain might be able to help Chinese students in the United Kingdom overcome problems created by their participation in pro-democracy demonstrations. Most of those attending the meeting had been activists in the democratic cause and were likely to face persecution if they returned to China; the same applied to many of their Chinese fellow students in the United Kingdom. They hoped that those whose visas would expire shortly could have them renewed, and that some help could be given to those who ran short of funds. It would also be helpful for those whose passports expired to be able to obtain travel documents.

The Prime Minister said that we were able to help on most of the points which the students had raised. We would look sympathetically at any applications to stay in the United Kingdom from those who did not wish to return to China for the present. Anyone whose visa was due to expire should apply to the Home Office for an extension. Applications would be treated in confidence. We were also willing to issue travel documents to those whose passports were about to expire and who were unwilling to apply to the Chinese authorities for their renewal. But her strong advice was that, wherever

CONFIDENTIAL

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