TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 61

JAMES LEE

0494536249 P.29

MR. ALASTAIR GOODLAD FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT

14 JULY 1993

COMMITTEE

28

MR. ROBERT WAREI NG:

You mentioned China's interest to have trade links with the West

and the talks that took place in Liverpool with the people from Shanghai where my constituency is so I have an interest. I would

like to see trade developed with China but how far can we use their desire for trade with western countries like our own and

other members of the European Community as a lever to bring about

movement on human rights issues?

MR. ALASTAIR GOODLAD:

I don't think it can be a direct lever particularly but I do think that the process of the opening up of China to the outside world - international trade and trying to get the Olympic Games all

these act as a powerful influence to bear on decision-takers to

incorporate international perceptions on human rights into their thinking. If that were to happen, they would have that much less

pressure.

CHAIRMAN:

Finally, Taiwan. You mentioned our commercial relations with

Taiwan and this Committee plans to visit Taiwan shortly but what about Taiwan's political ambitions which are clearly stirring since they are more interested now in joining and taking a fuller

part in international organisations? What attitude do we take to

that and I am afraid this is a "what if" question" if Taiwan

began to talk more about independence and a position at the United Nations and so on, how would we handle that?