§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the outcome of Her Majesty's Government's request to the Chinese Government to open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama about the Tibetan situation. [142155]
§ Mr. BattleThe Government believe that a long term peaceful and political solution in Tibet can be found only through dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Tibetans, in particular the Dalai Lama. During the last round of the UK/China human rights dialogue, held in London between 16–18 October, the Chinese side briefed us on recent talks that had taken place between the Chinese authorities and Gyalo Thondup, the Dalai Lama's brother, in Beijing. We welcomed these preliminary discussions, and expressed the hope that both sides would work promptly towards high level talks.