Sino-US Relations

HC Deb 26 June 2001 vol 370 c78W

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position regarding(a) Sino-US relations and (b) Sino-Taiwanese relations. [255]

Mr. MacShane

We believe it is important that the US and China maintain a constructive dialogue. The US and China have strong trade and economic links which should be enhanced by Chinese accession to the World Trade Organisation. We monitor developments across the Taiwan Straits closely. We believe that the future of Taiwan is a matter for the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to decide among themselves. We look to both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question through negotiation.