§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her visit to Lanzhou during her official tour of China. [52349]
§ Mr. FoulkesGansu province is one of China's poorest. During her visit in June, the Secretary of State held constructive discussions with representatives of local government (at county and provincial levels) about a proposed basic education project, the emphasis of which will be on access to and the quality of education for4W minorities and children, especially girls, in the poorer counties. The Secretary of State also took the opportunity to visit an EU-assisted irrigation project in the province.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the environment agreements with China, entered into during her recent official visit. [52350]
§ Mr. FoulkesDuring her visit in June, the Secretary of State signed a memorandum of understanding on environmental cooperation with the Chinese State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA). The memorandum provides a framework for cooperation between Britain and China on a number of China's highest environmental priorities including water pollution, urban air pollution and toxic and hazardous wastes. The Secretary of State also left with SEPA an outline proposal for a substantial new project to assist the local authorities in Yunnan Province with planning for environmentally-sustainable development. SEPA have welcomed the continued emphasis on the environment within the Department for International Development's new country strategy for China and the introduction of a strong poverty focus.