CHINA: BULL POINTS
Current Situation
Following crackdown on demonstrators during weekend of 3-4 June, Chinese Government has re-established control and has initiated crackdown on dissidents and student activists. Large numbers of demonstrators and others involved have been arrested, and many more still being sought. Understand over 30 of those said to have participated in acts of violence in connection with protests now executed.
Hardline leadership (Deng Xiaoping, Premier Li Peng, President Yang Shangkun) has consolidated its position. General Secretary and moderate Zhao Ziyang, an early sympathiser with the protestors, was dismissed from all his posts in late June and replaced by former Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiang Zemin. An unexpected choice.
UK Reactions to Events in China
Government's response immediate and clear-cut. Secretary of State announced series of measures on 6 June; suspension of all scheduled Ministerial exchanges and of high-level military contacts; ban on arms sales; and visit of TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales will not take place while those who committed atrocities remain in power.
Home Office has promised to look sympathetically at any applications from Chinese students, who because of the situation in China, wish to remain in the UK for the time being and seek to take employment to help with their expenses.
Our aim is to send a clear message to the Chinese Government of the sense of horror and outrage felt by the
Secretary of State did so when he met Chinese Foreign Minister in Paris on 30 July. There can be no question of business as usual under the circumstances.
| British people.
But we do not wish to isolate China completely. We should maintain those economic, commercial, cultural and scientific links that benefit the Chinese people. The social changes brought about by China's economic reforms and open door policy have fostered the democratic aspirations of the Chinese people. It would be counterproductive to take steps which would slow down the process of change in Chinese society.
EC Reactions
After initial statement of condemnation on 6 June,
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