Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The Minister met the Chinese ambassador on 16 April regarding the situation in Tibet. During the meeting, which took place in a sensitive atmosphere, the Minister set out the Government's policy on the situation in Tibet, as well as on our relations with China as a whole. The Minister also raised the effects on Irish business people and tourists of the introduction of new Chinese visa procedures.

The Minister deplored the loss of life of both ethnic Han Chinese and Tibetans over the past two months and sought to urge all sides to exercise the maximum restraint, to underline the importance Ireland attaches to the right of freedom of expression and peaceful protest, to urge the Chinese authorities to allow greater access by the media and independent observers to Tibet to allow an assessment of what has been happening there, to establish from the Chinese authorities what has happened to the protesters, seeking assurances of their well-being and the release of imprisoned peaceful protesters, and to encourage dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama.

The Minister again raised these points with the Chinese ambassador, with a particular emphasis on the importance of dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama. The Minister made clear his view that dialogue is the only peaceful and sustainable way of ensuring the preservation of Tibetan religious and cultural identity, as well as addressing Chinese concerns regarding its territorial integrity. In this context, the Government welcomes the announcement last week that the Chinese authorities are to meet in the coming days with representatives of the Dalai Lama. We hope that these meetings can move quickly to remove any remaining impediments to more substantial talks which could address the issue of autonomy, within the framework of the Chinese constitution.

It remains the Minister's view that it is through open and frank dialogue, on a bilateral basis as well as through the EU, that we can best impress our concerns on the Chinese authorities. China remains a key player across a range of important issues, not only relating to human rights and the situation in countries such as Burma and Darfur, but also regarding climate change, sustainable development, trade and investment.

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