HC Deb 18 October 1991 vol 196 cc292-3W
Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Chinese Government on the denial of human rights and the right to self-determination in Tibet.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We have frequently reminded the Chinese authorities of our concern about reports of human rights abuses in Tibet. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister specifically referred to Tibet when discussing human rights with Premier Li Peng in Peking in September. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs also raised the issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen. We continue to urge the Chinese Government to enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's reasons for not recognising the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As was set out in the 1972 Joint Communiqué with the People's Republic of China, the British Government recognise the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China.