Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 2

Written Answers. - Ministerial Meetings.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

119 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and any conclusions reached at his meeting with Chinese officials during the recent visit of Premier Zhu Rongji; if the issue of human rights in China was raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23726/01]

Nora Owen

Question:

130 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the issues he raised with the Chinese Premier; if the issue of the Chinese student who was attending Trinity College and the position regarding the Falun Gong was raised, the answers he received from the Premier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23761/01]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

181 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress has been made in securing the release of the Trinity student and Falun Gong member who has been imprisoned in a Chinese labour camp since May 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23827/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 130 and 181 together.

During the recent visit of Premier Zhu Rongji, I met with senior members of the Chinese delegation, including Foreign Minister Tang. We had a very useful and constructive dialogue on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

On the bilateral front, we noted the rapid growth of our economic and trade relations and the very high level of bilateral co-operation in the economic and education fields. We identified areas for further co-operation and a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural relations between the two countries was also signed during the visit.

Human rights issues were raised by the Taoiseach in an open and frank way during his private meeting with the Premier and during the plenary meeting with the Chinese delegation, which both Foreign Minister Tang and I attended. The Taoiseach set out Ireland's concerns, in particular in relation to the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. The Taoiseach took the opportunity to raise the case of Mr. Zhao Ming, the Trinity College student currently detained in China. The Premier undertook to raise this case with the judicial authorities on his return to China, and the Government has been assured that this has been done. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.

The Premier was travelling to Brussels following his visit to Ireland and he was aware of the importance we attach to the ongoing dialogue between China and the EU on Human Rights.

I would conclude that the Premier's visit was a successful one, raising awareness of Ireland in China and deepening understanding between our two countries. The Premier left keenly aware of the degree of public interest in Ireland in the human rights situation in China. The Government intends to build on the progress made during this visit to further deepen and broaden our relationship with China.