§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Prime Minister when he will meet the Chinese Vice-President during his visit to the UK this month; and if he will raise the issue of Tibet. [11153]
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he and other Ministers had with the Vice-President of China about the position of Tibet during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement. [12196]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 1 November 2001]I met Vice-President Hu Jintao on 29 October. The main focus of our discussion was the international coalition against terrorism, but we also discussed a range of other issues including Tibet. Tibet was discussed in detail in a meeting on 30 October between the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane). and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who was accompanying the Vice-President.