Vol. 519 No. 1
60 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the recent visit to Ireland of a Chinese delegation headed by the Vice-Premier, Li Lanquing; if the question of human rights in China was raised with the delegation; and the response, if any, received. [13087/00]
As indicated in reply to another question earlier today, the main purpose of Vice-Premier Li's visit was to further our economic and trade relations with China rather than to discuss political issues. However, I understand that certain political issues, including the question of Taiwan, were raised in the course of the private meeting which he had with the Taoiseach.
Our concerns in relation to human rights in China are well known to the Chinese authorities and have been raised with them bilaterally on a number of occasions. Most recently at the 56th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Ireland was fully associated with the EU country statement in which deep concern was expressed about the fact that, despite some steps in the improvement of the legal system and social and economic rights, little progress has been achieved on the ground, in particular regarding civil and political rights. Continuing restrictions upon fundamental freedoms, including freedom of thought, expression, religion, assembly and association, were also firmly condemned.
