TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 63

14-JUL-1993 16:41

JAMES LEE

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MR. ALASTAIR GOODLAD FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE - 14 JULY 1993

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To come back to the fact that one China and eventual reunification with the mainland remains the policy of the Taiwan (sic) authorities. Taiwan is anathema to the People's Republic, the People's Republic refuses to renounce the possible use of force should Taiwan unilaterally declare independence so despite the stirrings we have seen, I would not myself have said that it was a likely short-term probability but they have been talking in Singapore recently to China on a range of related subjects; is now massive investment in trade between Taiwan and China, the economic contacts are growing, Taibei have said that they will not make substantial moves on political issues such as direct transport links, trade, political links unless Peking renounces the use of force so there the matter rests.

there

CHAI RMAN;

As a final, final question although because it is last it does not mean to say it is unimportant, what is our attitude to events in Tibet, a matter I know of great sensitivity but one which gives rise to a good deal of concern here in this Parliament?

MR. ALASTAIR GOODLAD:

It is a concern that is shared by the Government and as I said earlier in the context of human rights, we raise human rights in Tibet at every possible opportunity and it is an important part of our dialogue with them. The Prime Minister saw the Dalai Lama. the previous time he was here, the Foreign Secretary saw him this time in his capacity as a religious leader and he has said that Britain