To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the United Kingdom Government plan to take against the Chinese Government as a result of their gaoling of Wei Jingsheng; and if he will make a statement. [7209]

We and our European Union partners have raised with the Chinese authorities our deep concern about the detention, trial and imprisonment of Wei Jingsheng. We look to the Chinese to show clemency and allow his early release.On 14 December, the Spanish presidency, on behalf of the EU, issued a statement in Madrid and Brussels, calling for Wei Jingsheng's unconditional release. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library.