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State Visits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Questions (66, 67, 68)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

46 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he discussed the abuse of human rights in China and the position of Falun Gong practitioners in particular with the Prime Minister of China in his recent visit here. [14541/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

57 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting with the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. Wen Jiabao; if the issue of human rights abuses were raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14550/04]

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Jack Wall

Question:

67 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Prime Minister of China in his recent visit here the widespread concern at the suppression of human rights in Tibet. [14542/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 57 and 67 together.

The Chinese Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, visited Ireland on 11 and 12 May 2004, as part of his first official visit to Europe. In the course of his visit, he had official talks with the Taoiseach, attended a business breakfast hosted by the Tánaiste, which was attended by over 100 Irish business people, and paid a courtesy call on the President. He also visited the National Technology Park and the University of Limerick.

I accompanied the Taoiseach during his official talks with Premier Wen at Dublin Castle on 11 May, at which Premier Wen was accompanied by Foreign Minister, Mr Li Ziaoxing, Minister of Commerce, Mr Bo Xilai, and Minister for National Development, Mr Ma Kai. There were two broad themes for discussion during the talks, Ireland's bilateral relations with China, including political co-operation, investment and trade relations, culture, education and human rights, and EU-China relations. We also reflected on regional and international issues of common concern, including ASEM, the Asia Europe Meeting, non-proliferation and the Korean Peninsula.

On bilateral relations, both sides agreed that while relations have developed significantly in recent years to our mutual benefit, there remains much potential for further engagement across a wide range of issues, including co-operation in the fields of education, software, information technology, construction services and agricultural development. Premier Wen, the spectacular economic advances achieved by China in its own right notwithstanding, emphasised throughout his hope that his government could yet gain insight from the experience of Ireland in economic and social development. We also agreed that cultural exchanges, such as the recently launched Irish cultural festival in China, will encourage better understanding, as will the increased tourism between the two countries that should result from the signature of the new Authorised Destination Status, ADS, Agreement between China and Ireland.

We also raised the issue of the human rights situation in China, which is a constant point of discussion with the Chinese authorities at both national and European Union level. During the discussions, we outlined Ireland's strong commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Both sides agreed on the importance of co-operation and dialogue in working together to bring about respect for international obligations. Premier Wen noted that the continuing EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was particularly useful in this regard. The Premier reported on the measures his government are taking in the field of human rights, which included the addition of an express provision on human rights into China's constitution earlier this year. At the same time, he outlined the difficulties China continues to face in its work to guarantee the right of subsistence to the entirety of its 1.3 billion people.

We emphasised that Ireland is willing to share our experience and expertise with China in relation to human rights, and in this regard we looked forward to the first EU-China Seminar on ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR, which will take place at the end of our Presidency in Beijing. Both sides looked forward to further discussion of these and other matters during the next session of the Human Rights Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place next September, at which experts will continue to discuss particular issues including Tibet, and the protection of freedom of religion and expression, which have a particular impact on practitioners of Falun Gong.

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