HC Deb 02 July 2002 vol 388 cc282-3W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the President of the Council what representations concerning the situation in Tibet he made to Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, during Chairman Li's recent visit to the UK; and what response he received. [63863]

Mr. Robin Cook

My noble friend the Lord Chancellor met Mr. Li and raised Tibet and other human rights concerns with him.

I hosted a large reception and banquet for Mr. Li, attended mainly by representatives of Scottish universities and businesses to celebrate their links with their counterparts in China. This occasion did not lend itself to exploring detailed issues of our diplomatic relations.

I have raised Tibet many times with representatives of the Chinese Government and it figures prominently in the bilateral dialogue between our two Governments on human rights. In May the UK side visited a Tibetan community in Gansu Province, expressed concern at repression of monastic communities and raised the cases of 52 prisoners including Tibetans.