UCS 18/08/05: British PM to visit China in September

British Prime Minister to visit 
China in September

UK State Visit for Hu Jintao in November

Call on Tony Blair to raise Tibet in all his discussions with Chinese leaders at the EU/China and UK/China Summits
(Please act as soon as possible, preferably before 2 September 2005)

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be visiting China on the 5th and 6th September 2005 for the EU/China Summit (the UK currently holds the rotating Presidency of the EU) and UK/China Summit. These are important opportunities to ask Mr. Blair to raise Tibet issues directly with the Chinese leaders he meets.

Background
EU/China summits are held annually - the last summit took place during the Dutch Presidency of the EU, in the Netherlands in December 2005. In May 2004, China and Britain announced that they would hold annual summits. Mr Blair made this announcement last year at a joint press conference with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Downing Street. The aim of these annual meetings is to boost political and business links. Britain is already the biggest source of European investment in China.

Despite strong business and corporate interests, and a busy agenda (which for the EU/China Summit will include Climate Change), it is important that Tibet is raised during these high level meetings. Mr Blair has said that he had earlier raised China's poor human rights record during his private meeting with Mr Wen. The British Government has responded positively to Free Tibet Campaign's request that Tibet is raised during the many meetings with China during the UK Presidency.

It is not yet clear whether Blair will also meet Hu Jintao (pictured above with Blair in London in 2001) in Beijing next month, but Free Tibet Campaign considers it vital that Tibet is raised at the very highest level of Chinese leadership.

Action
1. Write to Prime Minister Blair to request that he raise Tibet with the Chinese authorities. Ask Blair to:

 

  •  Raise Tibet with Wen Jiabao and also with Hu Jintao if they meet.
  •  Urge China to drop all pre-conditions to negotiate a settlement on Tibet with representatives of the Dalai Lama.
  •  Demand that China permits UN officials, e.g. from the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child to meet Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, who has spent a decade in 'protective' custody.
  •  Pressure China for action on its recent announcement that it is making efforts to reduce the prevalence of torture and coerced confessions; in particular to re-open the case of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, the Tibetan spiritual leader who is serving a life sentence in prison.

    Name: Rt Hon Tony Blair MP
    Address: Prime Minister
    10 Downing Street
    London SW1A 2AA
    Fax: 020 7925 0918
    Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

    2. Write to your MP and ask them urge Mr. Blair to raise the Tibet issue with Chinese leaders at the summit.

    Name: Name of MP
    Address: c/o House of Commons
    London SW1A 0AA

    Alternatively you can send a message to your MP for free via:www.writetothem.com

    UK State Visit for Hu Jintao in November

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