HC Deb 13 February 1991 vol 185 cc842-3
6. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and the people's republic of China.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We are working to achieve a full and constructive relationship with the People's Republic of China. The dialogue we are developing covers a wide range of issues, including human rights. We have a common commitment to the maintenance of the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Mr. Coombs

Does my hon. Friend agree that the People's Republic has made a substantial contribution to the international peace process in the United Nations, particularly over events in the Gulf? In that context, what progress has been made in recent weeks in discussions between the People's Republic, the United Kingdom Government and the Government of Hong Kong about the development of the port and airport scheme—especially the airport at Chek Lap Kok?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am happy to confirm that the People's Republic of China has made a constructive contribution to Security Council debates on the crisis in the Gulf.

The Government of China agree on the need for the airport. Premier Li Peng spoke to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwickshire, North (Mr. Maude)—then responsible for Foreign Office affairs on China—in July of last year and gave him that assurance. Experts are discussing the project on both sides and we hope that the Chinese will support it in due course.

Mr. Cox

Is the Minister aware of the role that the British inter-parliamentary group is playing in building better relationships with the People's Republic of China, specifically in the areas of human rights and the rights of the people of Hong Kong? Will he acknowledge the role that the British IPU plays in this important matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am sure that the IPU has made its concern on human rights felt. We, too, express our concern about them on every possible occasion.

Mr. Sims

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is as much in the interests of China as of Hong Kong that the territory should continue to enjoy stability and prosperity, to which he referred, and confidence in its future? Does he agree that the remarks attributed to Deng Xiaoping about British tricks and about sending in troops to put down rebellion do not contribute to confidence?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I confirm that it is as much in the interests of the Chinese Government as of the Hong Kong Government that Hong Kong should prosper. My hon. Friend referred to a newspaper article quoting remarks by Deng Xiaoping. That statement was not an official one by the Chinese Government. The report to which my hon. Friend referred was of an earlier article in a Hong Kong magazine last month. It is not helpful to comment on speculation.

Mr. Foulkes

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that, with only two weeks to go to the deadline, fewer than 6,000 Hong Kong people have applied for the 50,000 available passports? Does not that shambles show that the Government would have been better occupied bringing full democracy to Hong Kong instead of having this flawed scheme? Does not the fact that Hong Kong people are still flooding to Canada, the United States and Australia show that the scheme is not anchoring people in the territory and that those people, like us, no longer have confidence in the United Kingdom Government?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would recall that Labour Members, perhaps including himself, suggested that this scheme would flood the United Kingdom with people from Hong Kong. Considerable interest has been shown in the scheme. A quarter of a million application forms have been distributed. Experience shows that there may be a rush of applications just before the deadline.