China (Hansard, 13 March 1998)

§ Mr. Faber
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a resumption of substantive dialogue with China on human rights was resumed; and if he will list the positive steps taken by China as a result. [34484]

§ Mr. Fatchett
Since the resumption of the EU/China human rights dialogue on 23 October 1997, China has taken a number of positive steps. These include signature of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit China and agreement to transmit Hong Kong reports under UN Covenants

§ Mr. Faber
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance(a) the Government and (b) the European Union proposes to improve human rights in China. [34517]

§ Mr. Fatchett
The government are supporting a range of projects aimed at promoting legal and administrative reform in China and are currently examining a project aimed at improving child welfare. The EU has agreed an assistance package which includes legal training and village governance, as well as projects supporting rights of women and orphans.

§ Mr. Faber
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Minister attended the EU/China human rights meeting in Peking on I and 2 December; what subjects were discussed and if he will place in the Library a copy of the communiqué issued. [34483]

§ Mr. Fatchett
The EU/China human rights meeting 1–2 December was held at senior official level. The two sides discussed a wide range of human rights concerns including co-operation with United Nations human rights mechanisms, individual cases, the death penalty and Tibet. Agreement was reached on a cooperation programme. No communique was issued.