Probable future leader of China visits UK

 7 January 2011

Chinese Vice President Li Keqiang will be in the UK from 9-12 January. It is widely believed that he will succeed Wen Jiabao as Chinese Premier in 2012. Li Keqiang will be meeting the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister as well as leaders of British business and industry.

This visit therefore likely represents the beginning of relationship-building between UK politicians, business people and a future unelected leader of China.

Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said:

“Given that seven out of ten British adults think human rights in Tibet matter at least as much as good trade relations with China, when our elected representatives begin to build relationships with Li Keqiang their conversations should include human rights in Tibet.”

Free Tibet hopes that if Li Keqiang comes to power in 2012 as Premier he will break with the current hard line policy on Tibet. Wikileaks cables have revealed that Hu Jintao is “completely” in charge of Tibet policy which has grown ever-harsher since the protests of 2008. The change in leadership in China in 2012 presents an opportunity for a shift in policy on Tibet. Now is surely the time to impress upon Li Keqiang that human rights violations in Tibet damage China’s standing with her international partners.

Ends

Notes to Editor

Tibetan groups and Tibet support groups, including Free Tibet, will be organising a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in London when Li Keqiang visits on Wednesday 12 January.

Free Tibet is an international campaigning organisation that stands for the right of Tibetans to determine their own future. We campaign for an end to the Chinese occupation of Tibet and for the fundamental human rights of Tibetans to be respected.

For further information and interviews please contact Free Tibet’s Director Stephanie Brigden

E: stephanie@freetibet.org