Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Chinese counterparts on the detainment of Christian preacher Wang Shauping in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.

We are aware of reports that Minister Wang Shanping is detained and facing charges of organising and sponsoring illegal gatherings. Minister Wang Shanping's case further highlights the severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China. We regularly raise the human rights situation in China directly with the Chinese authorities at the highest levels. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary did so in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on 20 September.