Burma: Storms

Mr. Hague
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Chinese government on securing access for international humanitarian aid to Burma.

Mr. Douglas Alexander
I have spoken to the Chinese Ambassador and the Foreign Secretary has written to his Chinese counterpart. Our Ambassador in Beijing has also lobbied the Chinese Government. As the most important friends of the Burmese regime we want them to exert pressure to ensure that aid flows in the quantities required and the experts are allowed unfettered access.

The Prime Minister intends to speak to the Chinese Prime Minister as soon as possible to underline the need for urgent and strong messages to be conveyed to the Burmese Government pressing them to accept international assistance.