HC Deb 05 July 1989 vol 156 cc174-5W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the common action being taken by the European Community against the Government of the People's Republic of China.

Mr. Eggar

The EC issued a joint statement on 6 June which strongly condemned the violent suppression of the demonstrations in China. On 15 June the presidency carried out a demarche, stressing the Twelve's grave concern at continuing repression and expressing hope that economic and political reform could be put back on course, together with adherence to respect for human rights. On 17 June a further demarche was made, appealing for clemency for the first persons sentenced to death in connection with the demonstrations. On 27 June the European Council agreed a declaration on China which reiterated the Twelve's condemnation and adopted a package of measures to be taken by the Community and its member states.