HC Deb 23 January 2001 vol 361 c563W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in identifying the location and condition of the Panchen Lama. [146721]

Mr. Battle

We take every suitable opportunity to press the Chinese authorities to allow access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama, by an independent and respected figure to assess his health and living conditions. They maintain that the parents of the boy do not want him exposed to international attention. During the last round of the EU/China human rights dialogue in September 2000, the Chinese Government indicated that the boy was living in Nagqu.

During the last round of the UK/China human rights dialogue (16–18 October 2000) the Chinese side displayed two photographs purporting to be of the boy, but declined to provide copies. I have personally stressed to the Chinese ambassador in London the importance of releasing the photographs. We will press this point again during the next round of the UK/China human rights dialogue, scheduled for 12–14 February in Beijing.