TNAG-2244-FCO40-3225-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-impact-on-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 110

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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Under Secretary Kimmitt in May 1991 reiterated many of the points made by Assistant Secretary Schifter, and called on the Chinese government to declare an amnesty for all those imprisoned for nonviolent political activities, He also urged the Chinese to implement effectively their claimed próhibition on export of prison labor products.

Results of actions

Most importantly, the Chinese government has acknowledged the legitimacy of human rights as a subject of bilateral discussion, both with us and with other concerned governments. they received a Congressional delegation devoted exclusively to human rights concerns in March 1991, and agreed to receive another later this year. They also agreed to receive human rights delegations to be sent by the governments of France and Australia. In addition, they have taken a number of modest but positive steps to improve the human rights situation in China.

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Martial law was lifted in Beijing in January 1990 and in Lhasa four months later. No part of China is currently subject to martial law.

Most of those detained after the Tiananmen tragedy were released by the end of 1989. Chinese authorities” announced the release of nearly 1000 more detainees in 1990, and about 70 have been released so far in 1991. Officials claim that only 21 still await trial detention in Beijing, and at least one of these labor leader Han Dongfang -- has been released for medical treatment.

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While at least 30 persons have been convicted on political charges since the beginning of the year, the sentences meted out to them were generally less severe than those imposed on similar charges in previous years. Those released without further punishment included prominent dissidents such as essayist Liu Xiaobo, journalist Zhang Weiguo, playwright Wang Peigong, and legal scholar Chen Xiaoping.

Leading dissident Fang Lizhi and his wife, who had obtained refuge in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for over a year, were allowed to leave China in June 1990, and are now at Frinceton.

Most investigations of those involved in the 1989 protests have ended, and most of our Chinese contacts report that the oppressive atmosphere of 1989 has lifted significantly.

The Chinese have ceased the most odious forms of harassment of Chinese students and scholars in the U.S.; harassment was a serious problem in 1989 and early 1990.

Relatives of many, though not all, overseas dissidents have been allowed to leave China and join them abroad. In some

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