16 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to China; if he raised the issue of human rights with the Chinese authorities; and the response he received in this regard. [3757/02]

The focus of my first official visit to the People's Republic of China on 22 to 25 January was on strengthening our bilateral relations, in keeping with the Asia strategy, launched after the visit by the Taoiseach to China in September 1998.

I met with senior Chinese leaders, including Premier of the State Council, Zhu Rongji, and Foreign Minister, Tang Jiaxuan. I conducted a meeting with the heads of Irish diplomatic missions resident in Asia and with the representatives of the semi-State agencies and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These were the first such joint meetings and we focused on evaluating the implementation of the Government's Asia strategy and on making recommendations for strengthening and improving the effectiveness of the Government's promotional efforts in the region.