5. The Hong Kong Government feel that there may well be a case for raising this with the Chinese authorities. If we do, the Chinese side will certainly reject our approach claiming that
travel arrangements between the SAR and the rest of the PRC
after 1997 are a purely internal affair. There is also a risk
that such an approach may serve to stimulate Chinese suspicions
about British attempts to encourage the subversion of the CPG.
However, given the wide public concern in Hong Kong about freedom of travel in general and about Tian's comments in
particular, there is advantage in registering our concerns and
in asking for clarification of Tian's comments. This would
probably best be done by the Political Adviser's office to the
NCNA. If public interest in this issue continues to grow in
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government may also need, in due course, to make their approach public.
CEGRIMIN
CE Garrett
trv.min.FUT
SLM
Zebelts
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