HC Deb 12 May 2000 vol 349 cc494-5W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy towards China and human rights discussions in the United Nations. [121501]

Mr. Hain

The United Kingdom has a wide-ranging relationship with China. As Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council we regularly discuss an extensive range of international interests and responsibilities including global and regional security, as well as political, financial, economic and environmental issues.

The UN Commission on Human Rights considered a resolution tabled by the United States on the human rights situation in China on 18 April. We voted against a Chinese sponsored "No-Action" motion to guillotine discussion on a US sponsored resolution. The EU Presidency condemned the continuing restrictions upon the fundamental freedoms of thought, expression, religion, assembly and association. on behalf of the EU, the Presidency also made it clear that it was vital that the human rights dialogue with China should continue and be kept under regular review.

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