TNAG-2604-FCO40-3792-Detention-of-Hong-Kong-residents-in-China-1992 — Page 104

CONFIDENTIAL

The Prime Minister may wish to say:

I

value my dialogue with Premier Li Peng on human

rights. Right that members of Permanent Five

should take a particular interest.. However, feel that there has not been as much progress as I hoped. Know that EC partners share our concern Over lack of real progress. Deeper dialogue needed if cooperation is to continue

to develop;

recent sentences announced on further group of

dissidents a

set-back. Bound to harm China's

image in the West;

welcome Chinese agreement to visit by delegation led by Sir Geoffrey Howe which will focus on human rights issues. I explained to Premier Li Peng that this delegation would

visit China after the British General Election.

Suggest details of delegation should be worked

out by officials. Hope Chinese will be open

and frank in their discussions with the delegation;

would like to tell press that agreement is now reached that a delegation led by Sir Geoffrey Howe will visit China later this year;

still await substantive details about the

individuals on the list of human rights cases

CONFIDENTIAL