CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 524
OF 20103OZ MARCH 91
CONFIDENTIAL
HKCO26/6
fa for Ching
+
25 MAS 190.
о
004370
MDHOAN 0148
Prets & Public hand why
INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, BTC HONG KONG
27/0
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM BURNS, AUS
BTC HONG KONG: PERSONAL FOR HEAP
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG: MEDIA PRESENTATION
1.
AS YOU KNOW FROM YOUR RECENT VISIT HERE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE ATTACHES CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO THE PRESS HANDLING AND MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIS VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG.
2.
HIS CONCERN REFLECTS THE GREAT INTEREST IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CHINA, PARTICULARLY AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE DALAI LAMA'S VISIT. PERCEPTIONS OF THE NATURE OF THE REGIME IN CHINA ARE STILL COLOURED BY MEMORIES OF TIANANMEN. A VISIT TO CHINA AT THIS TIME, PARTICULARLY ONE WHICH WILL HAVE AS A PRINCIPAL AIM INCREASED COOPERATION AND CONSULTATION OVER HONG KONG, MAY WELL BE INTERPRETED BY SOME CRITICS HERE AS KOWTOWING.
3.
WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO EDUCATE PUBLIC OPINION AND THE MEDIA IN THIS COUNTRY. THE SECRETARY OF STATE PLANS TO HOLD A SANDWICH LUNCH FOR INTERESTED BACKBENCH MPS BEFORE THE RECESS (PROBABLY ON 27 MARCH). WE ARE DRAFTING AN ARTICLE, FOR HIS SIGNATURE, FOR ONE OF THE SERIOUS DAILIES IN THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER. HE IS ALSO PLANNING TO TALK TO SELECTED JOURNALISTS AND TO DO TELEVISION AND RADIO INTERVIEWS BEFORE DEPARTURE.
4. AS PART OF THIS EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE SOME LEADING HONG KONG CHINESE PERSONALITIES TO SPEAK OUT TO THE MEDIA, STRESSING THE VALUE OF A VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PEKING SHOULD HE CHOOSE TO MAKE ONE AT THIS TIME AND THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THEY ATTACH TO IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH CHINA. COMING FROM HONG KONG, SUCH COMMENTS WOULD CARRY PARTICULAR WEIGHT AND DO NOT NEED TO WAIT FOR A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF SPECULATION IN THE
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