§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will(a) call on the Government of China to cease their action against unregistered Christian churches and (b) have this issue specifically raised at the forthcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. [14813]
§ Mr. HanleyRestrictions on religious activity in China and persecution of those who practise outside the official church framework are causes for great concern. We and our EU partners continue to urge the Chinese authorities to regard freedom of worship as fulfilling a basic human need, not as a threat. In the light of this and other concerns, we and our EU partners are giving careful consideration to our position at the 1997 United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will call on the Government of China to release Bishop Zeng Jingmu from prison in Jiangxi province and to ensure he receives adequate medical treatment. [14816]
§ Mr. HanleyI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 November 1996,Official Report, column 292.