TNAG-2321-FCO40-3365-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 360

CONFIDENTIAL

3.

4.

Consider the case for contact with Chinese dissidents both

in UK and overseas. We might, for example, encourage our US posts to be in touch with figures like Fang Lizhi and

Chai Ling and be ready to see them at official level if

they or other prominent dissidents visited the UK.

Consider the case for a visit by a

for a visit by a human rights delegation along Australian lines, ie a carefully selected mix of human rights experts, legal specialists, people with

previous experience of China and (if the Group plan to visit Tibet) one or more Tibetan speakers. The choice of

leader would be important.

(The

5. Consider with the BBC the possibility of increasing the

number of programmes dealing with political pluralism and civil liberties carried by the BBC's Chinese Service. BBC are acutely sensitive about any suggestion of FCO editorial influence. They claim that they already cover these issues extensively in their programmes for China).

6.

7.

Put more emphasis on good-government related training at the expense of a reduction in the number of scholarship awards for scientific and technical subjects or in support of commercial opportunities (in 1991 / 92 we will be providing 27 scholarships for legal and civil service

training at an average cost of some PDS 8,000 per scholarship). Encourage EC partners and the European Commission to make similar adjustments in their training programmes. Consider use of sponsored visits programme to bring to the UK Chinese working in areas related to human rights, to discuss the issues and observe UK practice.

Request permission for independent observers to attend

trials in China. (This request has been refused by the Chinese in the past).

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