Written question asked by Geoffrey Cox (Conservative) on Friday, 11 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 November 2005. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

China

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made to the Chinese delegation during the recent state visit regarding (a) reports of religious persecution in China and (b) the status of Tibet.

Answer: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised human rights with President Hu but not specifically religious persecution or the status of Tibet. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Foreign Minister discussed the issue of Tibet and the international parliamentary convention to be held in Scotland later this month. Freedom of religion was a focus for the recent EU China Human Rights Dialogue, held in Beijing on 24 October 2005.

Secondary information