TNAG-2909-FCO40-4183-Detention-of-Hong-Kong-residents-in-China-1993 — Page 4

of legal behaviour.

including journalists

Comment

was that people

4.

Nothing encouraging here. But in response to press enquiries, I think we can at least now say that we have reiterated to the NCNA the concerns which the Embassy in Peking originally expressed to the MFA. Simon Fung of Ming Pao has recently told me that he and his colleagues have now given up hope of securing Xi's early release, and would therefore welcome as high a profile as we feel able to adopt on this case.

1

..

M

تخليه

(John Ashton)

Deputy Political Adviser 15 November 1993.

Cc PS/GH

IC

DIC

UKREP JLG (Mr Alan Paul)

APA(S)

N J Cox, Peking FCO} by fax

RAJ Bunten, HKD, FCO)

CONFIDENTIAL

80 d

29:80 86 (ON IT AND

*SNOX 9NOH BSNOH INGHYBNOS