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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 5

Other Questions. - Detention of Chinese National.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

7 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a response from the Chinese authorities to the representations he has made regarding the position of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29238/01]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

32 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there has been a response from the Chinese Premier, Zhu Rongji, regarding the case of a person (details supplied) raised two months ago with him by the Taoiseach; if he is being detained; if he has further information on the way in which the person is being treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29119/01]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

75 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the detention of a person (details supplied); if undertakings were given by the Chinese Prime Minister to investigate this case during the course of his recent visit here; the further contact he has made with the Chinese authorities since this visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29139/01]

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

81 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to secure the release of a person (details supplied). [29369/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 32, 75 and 81 together.

The latest information available to my Department is that Mr. Zhao Ming remains in detention in China on the charge of "anti-social behaviour" relating to alleged Falun Gong activities.

As he recently informed the Dáil, the Taoiseach raised this case in his discussions with the Chinese Premier, Zhu Rongji, in Dublin on 3 September. At that time Premier Zhu undertook to draw our concerns to the attention of the judicial authorities in China. As the Taoiseach also informed the Dáil, it has been confirmed to us that the Premier has done so.

The Government remains concerned about Mr. Zhao's situation. Through our embassy in Beijing and contacts at other levels, the Government is pursuing the case on an ongoing basis. However, given all the circumstances, including the fact that Mr. Zhao is a Chinese citizen, this has to be done in the manner in which we pursue it. The Taoiseach and I have undertaken to keep Deputies informed as and when we receive further information.

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