HC Deb 21 October 1987 vol 120 cc710-1
5. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet his Chinese counterpart to discuss Sino-British relations; and if he will make a statement.

6. Mr. Jacques Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with the People's Republic of China.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I met the Chinese Foreign Minister again at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. I very much hope that he will be able to take up my invitation to visit the United Kingdom next year.

Our relations with the People's Republic of China remain excellent. Exchanges in many fields, including trade, are growing steadily.

Mr. Atkinson

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that 37 years of Chinese occupation of Tibet, culminating in the recent riots and deaths, far from being an internal matter, constitute a serious threat to the good relations between China and Britain and between China and the rest of the free world? Will my right hon. and learned Friend seek an early meeting with his Chinese counterpart to express the concern of the whole House about events in Tibet and to urge on him the Dalai Lama's five-point plan for peace, neutrality and autonomy?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Obviously the House will regret the loss of life that has taken place in recent disturbances in Tibet. I believe that the best way in which we can help the Tibetan people is by encouraging the Chinese Government to maintain their programme of economic and political reform. We shall certainly seek suitable opportunities of doing that and ensure that the Chinese Government are aware of the anxieties expressed by my hon. Friend on behalf of the British people.

I do not share my hon. Friend's view about the impact of these events on relations between Britain and China. The plan put forward by the Dalai Lama is a matter for the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government. As I stated in my main answer, I have invited the Chinese Foreign Minister to visit this country next year. I hope that the visit will take place.

Mr. Arnold

Bearing in mind the considerable trading opportunities that are arising with the People's Republic of China, will my right hon. and learned Friend state what additional steps are being taken to further our trade with that country?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the scale of growing trade with the People's Republic of China. My noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is in China now, and he is only the latest in a series of Ministers and hon. Members to visit the country. We shall continue to expand contacts of that sort in the confident expectation of a further improvement in relations and expansion of trade.

Sir Russell Johnston

Will the Secretary of State clarify his position on Tibet? Does he approve of the policy that is being pursued by the Chinese Government, and has he a view on it? If he has a view, has he conveyed it to the Chinese Government? If he has conveyed it, have they responded?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

As I said in my earlier reply, the Chinese Government are aware of the concern of British people about events in Tibet. We shall continue to seek opportunities of bringing that concern to their attention. I repeat that the best way of trying to secure improvements there is by encouraging the Chinese Government to continue with their programme of economic and political reforms in the region.

Sir Peter Emery

Will my right hon. and learned Friend assure the House that the essential negotiations between the People's Republic of China and the Crown colony of Hong Kong are proceeding reasonably and as fast as he would expect?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

My hon. Friend will appreciate that relations between the United Kingdom Government and the People's Republic of China in respect of Hong Kong rest upon the joint declaration that was concluded in 1984. Both sides have been and are working closely together to implement the declaration. We have agreed some important arrangements to give effect to it and I am sure that that positive co-operation will continue. Both sides are committed to full and faithful implementation of the agreement.