Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 March 2011.

China

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of China about the health and safety of the blind Chinese human rights activist, Chen Guangchen, following reports that he and his wife have beenbeaten, denied medical treatment and kept under virtual house arrest.

Answer: During his recent meeting in January with Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary expressed his concern about Chen's treatment. My honourable friend Jeremy Browne, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister with responsibility for the Far East, also raised the case with the head of the Chinese delegation to the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 13 January 2011. We remain concerned about the treatment of Chen Guangcheng and his family, whose detention appears to violate Chinese laws. We continue to monitor his situation and are working with EU partners to maintain the profile of his case.

Secondary information