TNAG-2604-FCO40-3792-Detention-of-Hong-Kong-residents-in-China-1992 — Page 102

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ЯESELF IN RES

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the situation in Hong Kong is always changing. The Government must be allowed to adapt to the

new situation. Some things, as we have found

in the UK, are best done out side government.

remain committed to a strong, effective, executive-led government in Hong Kong.

But we

Lif raised]

we

are happy to discuss with the Chinese side

the Hong Kong Government's plans for

corporatising RTHK. This should be done

quietly through the JLG, not through the press.

Human Rights

There has been no real improvement in China's

human rights record over the past year. The Chinese may now feel that they have successfully weathered the storm

on human rights. Their announcement at the end of

February of sentences imposed on eleven more Tiananmen dissidents shows a blatant disregard for Western public opinion, particularly since the EC had made specific

representations about some of those sentenced.

The Chinese have now accepted the Prime Minister's suggestion that a British human rights delegation led by Sir Geoffrey Howe should visit China after the election. They expressed the hope that mention of human rights in the delegation's title should be avoided. We are writing separately on the way forward on

forward on the delegation.

A

CONFIDENTIAL