TNAG-2360-FCO40-3431-Visit-by-John-Major--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--Septem-1991 — Page 115

CONFIDENTIAL

33

(Prime Minister's Visit to China

т

Hong Kong

1. I agree with the above. But I think we need to give careful thought, separately, to the approach that the Prime Minister should be advised to adopt on human rights. This is the area where those hostile to the visit will be inclined to be critical. It would be good if the Chinese could be persuaded in advance to make some genuine gesture over human rights during the course of the visit. If all we can say afterwards is that the Prime Minister raised the question of human rights, but without visible effect, the criticism will be harder to handle. The Department will consider the options and further recommendations will be made in due

course.

John Coles

TKD 020

625/13.

- 8.AUG 19

DESK OFFICER

Sir John Coles INDEX

29 July 1991

cc: PS/Lord Caithness

(.

PS/PUS

Heads of HKD

FED

PA

News Department

Тя

Bourth May Tul out

Thanks.

2. Cd

Hague

you pl djft a tel to HK + Peking mentioning the cases

of which we are

aware and

acking where they see scope for suggesting informally to the

Chinese that to solve there cases before the PM's visit might help the atmosphere, avoid media problems etc.

N2

жит

и надле

ор

Cd you pl dig out recent on HIC residents detained/imprisoned

(We might suggest

în China ?

leaving on the Chinese to let them out before the PM's mit)

масок

We had

an

301ит

file attached.

in

to include

in the briefing for the for to raise, but if the Chinese could be

Repuced to offer

in advance

1

then

ა

Time Cunce))

much the better.

herm

It could certainly do no to feed this in now the reactin

Chord 200

what

However the last approced by the Embassy die not get a good response four the Cheers! (below)

(س)

→ JC2AGB

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