§ 3. Mr. Michael Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to meet the Chinese Foreign Minister.
§ 8. Mr. MacFarquharasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay a visit to China.
§ Dr. OwenI have renewed my predecessor's invitation to the Chinese Foreign Minister to visit the United Kingdom. I also myself hope to visit China before too long. Our relations with China are increasingly important and substantial.
§ Mr. SpicerIn view of the fact that the Republic of China is one of the few countries that is currently taking seriously the international military threat posed by the Soviet Union, have the Government 1357 given any consideration to an anti-Soviet defence pact with the Chinese?
§ Dr. OwenThe question of a defence pact does not arise. The Chief of Defence Staff will pay an official visit to China from 27th April to 3rd May. This will be the first visit of a United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff to China. The purpose of the visit is to have a broad exchange of views on defence matters, and I welcome it.
§ Mr. MacFarquharBefore my right hon. Friend meets the Chinese Foreign Minister, will be undertake to investigate the possibility of presenting proposals to him for a cultural agreement, perhaps on the lines of that between France and China, which would regularise the very welcome exchanges between this country and Peking? Will he also undertake, before that meeting, to talk to representatives of the Sinological community in this country, such as the British Association for Chinese Studies, to make sure that those people in particular get the most out of any such agreement?
§ Dr. OwenI shall certainly look sympathetically at the suggestions that my hon. Friend has made. It is my intention to improve our relations with China. They have been steadily improving, and there is room for more improvement, for greater commercial exchange, and for greater cultural, scientific and technological exchange. I wish to deepen our relations with that very important country.
§ Mr. AitkenIn view of China's close geographical and diplomatic links with Pakistan, will the Foreign Secretary consider organising a diplomatic initiative to ensure that the former Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr. Bhutto, gets a fair trial and is also given more humane treatment than would appear to be the case at present?
§ Dr. OwenI congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his ingenuity. The House knows that I have had discussions about this issue with the President of Pakistan's foreign affairs adviser. I think that at present the question is under appeal.
§ Mr. Norman AtkinsonWill the Foreign Secretary now give an assurance that although he will do everything possible to improve our relationships with China, it will not be at the expense of our relationship with the Soviet Union?
§ Dr. OwenMy hon. Friend asks a serious question. It is not in the interests of this country to make such a dramatic shift in our policy that would alienate the second most powerful country in the world. However, I do not think that the Soviet Union would have any standing in intervening in our willingness to improve our relationship with China. We shall make our decisions on that relationship on their merits and on what is in the best interests of Britain.
§ Mr. WelshWhat steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to encourage contacts and understanding between the United Kingdom and China outside Government level? Is he aware of the threatened cut-backs in Chinese and Asian studies at Scots universities? Will he encourage his colleagues in the Department of Education and Science to provide funds to ensure that these important studies are maintained?
§ Dr. OwenI shall consider that. There was a long tradition of Chinese expertise in Britain which may well have tended to dwindle in recent years. It is important to ensure that it is built up. My hon. Friend the Member for Belper (Mr. MacFarquhar) is a distinguished example of someone who understands and knows China extremely well.