Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 December 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

China

Question: (2) when he last raised the issue of article 18 of the Law on Population and Birth Planning with the Government of China; what response he received; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Government have not made representations to the Chinese Government about China's right or need to implement family planning policies. We believe that China's family planning policies should be based on the principle of consent, and not coercion, as espoused by the International Conference on Population and Development. In this context, we are concerned about reports of enforced sterilisation and abortion. The EU, under the UK's presidency, raised the case of Chen Guangcheng, a lawyer who revealed information about forced abortions and sterilisations in Linyi City, Shandong Province, with the Chinese Government in October and November. We will continue to raise our concerns where appropriate.

Secondary information