China (Hansard, 7 November 2000)

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recommendations the UK Government have made to other EU member states on the future of the EU/China human rights dialogue. [135767]

§ Mr. Battle
The Government take an active role in the EU in determining the direction and strategy for addressing the human rights situation in China. EU partners approved a UK proposal in February 2000 to consider ways of strengthening the EU/China human rights dialogue process to make it a more effective mechanism for addressing common concerns with the Chinese authorities. EU Foreign Ministers are expected to discuss the outcome of this review at the General Affairs Council on 4 December.

§ Mr. Stevenson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what developments there have been in the UK Government's inquiries as to the(a) whereabouts and (b) welfare of the 11^th Panchen Lama. [135513]

§ Mr. Battle
The Government raised the case of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as the 11^th Panchen Lama, during the fifth round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in London between 16–18 October. We pressed the Chinese to allow access 186W to the boy by an independent figure acceptable to the Chinese Government and Tibetans to verify his health and living conditions.
The Chinese stated that the boy was well and attending school. They said that his parents did not want international figures and the media intruding into his life. Two photographs claimed to be of Ghedun Choekyi Nyima were shown to us but not handed over.

§ Mr. Stevenson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are planned within the Council of Ministers concerning the future of the EU/China human rights dialogue. [135514]

§ Mr. Battle
EU Foreign Ministers are expected to review the EU/China human rights dialogue process at the General Affairs Council on 4 December. The Council is also expected to discuss the human rights situation in China in March 2001 following the next round of the EU/China Human Rights dialogue expected to take place in Stockholm in February 2001.

§ Mr. Stevenson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress was made on issues concerning Tibet during the last round of UK/China human rights dialogue, held recently in London. [135515]

§ Mr. Battle
The situation in Tibet was a particular focus of the fifth round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue held in London between 16–18 October. We pressed the Chinese authorities to resume a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on a long-term political solution to the question of Tibet. We received a briefing from the Chinese on recent contacts with representatives of the Dalai Lama and urged the Chinese to take these forward as a matter of importance.
We also made clear our specific concerns about the situation in Tibet, including freedom of religion, the treatment of Buddhist monks and nuns, Han Chinese migration to Tibet, the investigation into the 1998 riots at Drapchi Prison, and the closure of the Gyatso Orphanage in Lhasa.
We also asked about a number of individual cases of concern including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama. The Chinese side displayed two photographs claimed to be of Ghedum Choekyi Nyima to substantiate their assertion that he was in good health and receiving education.
We also sought and received a commitment from the Chinese authorities to allow the proposed visit to Tibet by the All-Party Group on Tibet to be carried forward into 2001.