House of Commons - 10 Jun 1997

Mr. Wilkinson: Will the hon. Gentleman make certain that, in all Her Majesty's Government's dealings with China, the issue of Tibet is not forgotten and rolled under the carpet? Is it not the case that the systematic abuse of human rights and of the people of Tibet for very many years by the Chinese authorities has seriously prejudiced the view that people in the free world hold of the People's Republic of China, and that, in the long term, it must be detrimental to trading relations also unless the authorities do something to improve human rights in Tibet?

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Derek Fatchett): I share the hon. Gentleman's concerns. We also appreciate the important human rights agenda in relation to Tibet; the hon. Gentleman made those points with great force. In the meetings that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had individually with the ambassador, the issue of human rights has been raised, and Tibet is on that agenda.

House of Lords - 11 June 1997

China: Human Rights

The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the French Government's decision to expand trade with Beijing, whether the European Union can still achieve a consensus at the United Nations on human rights violations in China and Tibet.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We recognise that there has been a difference of emphasis amongst our European Union partners on the right tactical approach to China on human rights. However, we are all agreed on the importance of this subject and we shall remain in close touch with our partners on future policy.

House of Commons - 19 Jun 1997

Mr. George Stevenson (Stoke-on-Trent, South): May I refer my right hon. Friend to early-day motion 94?

[That this House condemns the continued occupation of Tibet and the persistent and continuing human rights abuses perpetrated against the Tibetan people by the Chinese authorities; and calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into negotiations with the Tibetan Government-in-exile without pre-conditions to respect and preserve the cultural identity of the Tibetan people, to permit Tibetans to freely practice and express their religious beliefs, to immediately end the use of torture, beatings and arbitrary detentions and to release the eight year old boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama, Tibet's second highest spiritual leader.]

The early-day motion expresses concern at the continued repression and effective policy of destruction of the culture of the people of Tibet by the Chinese authorities. Allied to this is the effective kidnapping by the Chinese authorities of the 11th Panchen Lama. Given the undoubted and long-standing concerns on both sides of the House for human rights, will my right hon. Friend try to arrange a debate next week on that important issue?

Mrs. Taylor: My hon. Friend is right to raise the issue, and I can understand why he wants time for a debate. We share the concern about human rights abuses in Tibet expressed in that motion, and we believe that a lasting solution to the problem in Tibet can be achieved only through negotiations between the Chinese authorities and the Tibetan people. I understand why my hon. Friend would like a debate, but I do not think that there will be time for one next week.

Commons Written Answers - 7 Jul 1997

Tibet

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place between British and Chinese representatives during his recent visit to Hong Kong on the subject of Tibet; and if he will make a statement. [6900]

The Prime Minister: At the Hong Kong handover, my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, and I met Chinese leaders for the first time since taking office. This was an historic occasion and provided a unique opportunity for general discussion of our future relations, including human rights. It also laid the foundations for more substantive discussions, including on Tibet.