Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the (a) right to freedom of religion and belief in China and (b) the effect of revised regulations on religious affairs in China on that right.
Answered on
26 June 2018
We remain concerned about reports of persecution of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and others on the grounds of their religion or belief in China. The freedom to practise, change or share one’s faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a fundamental human right that all people should enjoy. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and more resilient against violent extremism. The UK last raised these issues with China at the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in June 2017.