Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for United Kingdom policy of the granting of most favoured nation status to China.
§ Mr. HurdThe British and Hong Kong Governments supported the renewal by the United States of most favoured nation status for China. Non-renewal could have severely damaged Hong Kong's economy. The best way to advance rights in China is through a policy of economic engagement, not isolation.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he last raised with the Chinese Government the continuing transfer of Chinese people into Tibet;
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(3) what recent representations he has made to the Chinese Government to restore the rights and freedoms of Tibetans in Tibet.
§ Mr. HurdWe continue to receive reports from non-governmental organisations and other sources about human rights abuses in Tibet and threats to Tibetan identity, including population transfer. We and our European Union partners have repeatedly expressed our concern to the Chinese authorities, including at this year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. In the Government's response of 1 July to the Foreign Affairs Committee's report on relations with China we again publicly expressed our concern on all these matters.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the Chinese Government's adherence to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment;
(2) what information he has in respect of reports of torture in detention centres and prisons in China.
§ Mr. HurdThere continue to be disturbing reports of torture and other abuses in Chinese detention centres and prisons. As is made clear in the Government's response to the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on relations with China, we urge the Chinese Government to implement fully their obligations under the convention against torture and the other conventions to which China is signatory.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken to encourage the Chinese Government to review its policy on freedom of religion.
§ Mr. HurdWe and our European Union partners have repeatedly raised this and other human rights issues. The European Union, for example, expressed its concern in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights about the regulations concerning religious practice which had been promulgated in January.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relationship with China.
§ Mr. HurdWe wish to develop a wide-ranging relationship with China. The future of Hong Kong is a central issue; as permanent members of the UN Security Council, we are in close touch on international issues; we conduct a dialogue on human rights; and we week actively to increase Britain's economic links with the fast-growing Chinese market.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking to ensure that any product exported from China does not come from prison camp labour.
§ Mr. HurdThe import of prison made goods is banned by the 1897 Foreign Prison Made Goods Act (amended 1988). HM Customs and Excise is responsible for enforcing the Act's provisions, in response to evidence supplied by others.
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Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the Chinese Government to undertake an urgent review of the death penalty.
§ Mr. HurdThis issue was stressed in the report by Lord Howe's delegation which was published last year. The European Union has urged the Chinese authorities to restrict the use and the arbitrary application of the death penalty.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on the number of prisoners held in forced labour camps in China.
§ Mr. HurdWe have no precise information on the number of prisoners held in so-called "re-education through labour" camps. Estimates range from 1 to 10 million.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on nuclear weapon testing carried out in China.
§ Mr. HurdWe have made clear that we regret the test carried out by China at its Lop Nor site on 10 June. The Chinese Government have however repeatedly stated their commitment to the comprehensive test ban treaty negotiations in Geneva. We welcome their contribution to these negotiations.