PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA

Early day motion 834, tabled 5 March 2003 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 77 members.

That this House is aware that the Prime Minister will be visiting China in April; notes that the Chinese authorities execution of Tibetan Lobsang Dhondup, aged 28, on 26th January despite expressions of international concern and its two-year suspended death sentence passed on respected Buddist leader Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche followed by arrests of many Tibetans is a clear indication that bilateral and EU dialogue with China on human rights is not working; is deeply concerned about the survival of the unique Tibetan culture that has the potential to help humanity at large, and the non-violent Tibetan struggle for freedom being overlooked by the war on terrorism; and calls upon the Prime Minister seriously to discuss the issue of Tibet with the Chinese leadership and urge them immediately to enter into meaningful dialogue with Nobel Peace Laureate and Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader, the Dalai Lama, or his representatives, in order to resolve the Tibetan question as a matter of urgency and in the interest of both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.

Signatures by party: Labour 40, Liberal Democrat 14, Conservative 12, Labour/Co-operative 4, UUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2.