TNAG-2708-FCO40-3914-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 108

Reference

she

Cradock's comments that the Chinese leadership were "thugs" thought they were rational people. It was worth trying to hold Sir David China to the promises made in the Joint Declaration. Steel commented that the chance of Hong Kong being absorbed into China's "one system" in 1997 was not high: China was already "one country, many systems". The further away from Peking, the greater the freedom of expression.

6.

If News Department are asked to comment, we suggest they stick to Hong Kong's line, as amended by us: "The Hong Kong Government is undertaking a review of laws which might jeopardise press freedom and the case for a Freedom of

The Information Act. This review is close to completion. Executive Council will be asked to consider and advise on the outcome once the Law Reform Commission's recommendations on privacy legislation become available in February."

We are asking Legal Advisers to consider the detailed reports in the report and will include a line to take on this issue for the calls by Emily Lau and Christine Loh on Ministers next week.

7.

CODE 18-77

Truthin Mashall

J N Marshall

Hong Kong Department WH305 270-3287

22 January 1993

cc: Ms Barrett, Legal Advisers (+enc)

Mr Davies, FED

Mr Wye, RAD

office of the PA, Hong Kong

Ms Everett, News Department