TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 64

14-JUL-1993 16:41

TRANSCRIPT B

JAMES LEE

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

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should continue to have friendly relations with China in his view

whilst speaking out about wrongdoings in China and by China where

necessary and he did hint more recently that a one country/two

systems type of formula could be a foundation for negotiations

with the Chinese.

We have, like previous British governments, regarded Tibet as

autonomous whilst recognising the special position of the Chinese

authorities there. Neither we nor our Community partners believe

independence for Tibet is a realistic proposal nor do we think

that it would be a service to the Tibetans to encourage them to

seek independence. Tibet has never been internationally

recognised as an independent state and no member of the United

Nations regards Tibet as independent.

China has long held a

special position in Tibet and we will continue to urge all those

concerned to enter into real negotiations without pre-conditions.

CHAIRMAN:

1

Minister, I am conscious that we have only touched lightly this

morning on a number of enormous and vastly important issues which

we shall be seeking in the Committee to dig much deeper into in

due course but in the meantime I think this session has been a

useful start to us and we are grateful to you and to the

ambassador and your colleagues for being with us this morning.

Thank you very much.

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