Liz McManus
Question:68 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to invite the Prime Minister of China to make an official visit here before the end of 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17793/01]
Other Questions. - State Visits.
The Taoiseach, on the occasion of his official visit to China in 1998 and in accordance with the standard protocol, extended an invitation to his counterpart, Premier Zhu Rongji, to pay a return visit to Ireland. It is my understanding that Premier Zhu is now in a position to take up this invitation and that a visit to Ireland will take place in early September.
Will the arrangements for this visit enable human rights issues to be discussed with the distinguished visitor? Will the programme be wider than simply a trade pro gramme? Will the Minister indicate what contribution to the programme will be made by the Departments of Deputies de Valera, Woods, Davern and Cullen, all of whom have visited China? Will the visit encompass themes that derive from the Departments for which they have responsibility? Will there be opportunities to include aspects of foreign policy, including China's attitude to human rights, in the programme? There would be particular interest in the situation in Tibet.
The items on the agenda are a matter for the Taoiseach. However, the Deputy will be aware that such occasions are availed of to have a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, including any matters of concern, and to discuss the prospects for further developments. In addition to bilateral matters, subjects of common interest on the international scene, including those arising at the Security Council, could also be discussed. The Government avails of every appropriate opportunity to raise with the Chinese authorities matters of concern, including human rights.
What we are really interested in knowing is whether the Government will engage in straight talking with the Chinese when they arrive. The Taiwan Strait was recently described as the most dangerous area in the world. Will there be straight talking on the position of Taiwan and the claims, supported by military activity, of mainland China thereto? Will there be straight talking about the horrendous activities carried out against the Falun Gong? I am not a member or supporter of the Falun Gong but its members are treated in a disgraceful fashion by the Chinese authorities. What type of straight talking will there be about Tibet or will the Government simply accept the approach of our visitors and imply that we acquiesce in what they are doing?
I wonder if Irish foreign policy is simply about expediency and whether matters of principle ever arise.
Deputy Gormley, the question is about the visit of the Prime Minister of China.
That is why I raise the matter. The Minister must be aware of the ongoing persecution of people in Tibet. Will he raise this matter with the Prime Minister on his visit or will it be swept to one side? It is an issue the Chinese do not wish to broach on any occasion. Will the Prime Minister be asked to address the House?
I accept the Minister's word that opportunities will be taken where they arise to raise matters of mutual and global concern. Will he indicate if he will be sufficiently innovative in this regard to give us an idea of the programme for the visit—
There is no hope of that. The protocol unit says nothing until after the event, as we have discovered.
—before the distinguished visitor arrives so we would know, for example, what contribution has been made to it by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Deputy de Valera, what aspects of Chinese-Irish culture will be discussed and so forth? We might also find out how the Office of Public Works proposes to deal with the people of China and bring its great expertise to bear in that country. I am anxious to discover the Ministers' input into the fashioning of the programme.
Concerns of trade should not dampen any enthusiasm for honesty in raising issues that are of concern in relation to human rights.
Are we closer to Beijing than to Berlin?
Deputy Gormley has already asked his question.
I noticed that Deputy Higgins's tongue was firmly in his cheek during part of his supplementary question. As an internationalist himself, I am sure he is delighted so many members of the Government visit China in so many capacities.
In addition to raising our concerns bilaterally on every appropriate occasion, we also participate in the EU-China human rights dialogue through which we have called on the Chinese authorities to respect human rights. This bilateral visit will augment our participation. The last round of the dialogue on 22 and 23 February in Stockholm covered a broad range of issues, including the death penalty, administrative detention, protection against torture, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of religion and respect for cultural rights. Together with my EU colleagues I keep the progress of this dialogue under close review and will be doing so in the lead-up to the EU-China summit meeting which will also take place in September.
I assure Deputies the Government is concerned about human rights in Tibet. We are supportive of dialogue on a mutually agreed basis between the Dali Lama and the Chinese authorities with a view to addressing the fundamental issues of concern to both sides. It is our expressed hope that such a dialogue process can be set in train with the priority objective of such a process being the safeguarding of the welfare and rights of the people of Tibet. We make this view known to the Chinese authorities on every appropriate occasion.