• We are watching what happens to human rights in China and Tibet very closely. We look to China to take on greater international responsibilities around the world as its economy develops further. We also look to China to improve its record on human rights - a point David Cameron made to the Chinese leaders during his visit to Beijing last year.

• The Government must show leadership in engaging China on the issues of human rights and Tibet. A boycott of the Olympics should only be considered as part of a wider set of sanctions against China.    

• Riots in Tibet have now been going on for two weeks.  Tibet's government-in-exile says 19 Tibetan protesters have been shot dead in China's Gansu province and that the total death toll stands at 99.  On 19 March, 24 people were arrested and 170 surrendered to Chinese authorities in the Tibetan City of Lhasa.  The claims come as Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, declared he would ‘completely resign' if violent demonstrations against Chinese rule get out of control.
• China's premier, Wen Jiabao, accused the Dalai Lama of orchestrating the riots that have taken place in recent days.  He said the exiled leader's followers were trying to ‘incite sabotage' of Beijing's Olympic Games in August.

• International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge says there have been ‘absolutely no calls' from governments for a boycott of the Beijing Games. However, the Foreign Office Minister, Lord Malloch-Brown, has warned China that it risks wrecking its international image as the host of this summer's Olympic Games if the Tibet violence escalates.

• The Prime Minister has now agreed to meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits the UK in May: ‘I will meet the Dalai Lama when he is in London' (BBC News Online, 19 March 2008). David Cameron said at Prime Minister's Questions on the 19th: ‘Can I congratulate the prime minister on making the right decision... I congratulate him for doing the right thing'.

• David Cameron raised the issue of human rights with Chinese leaders during his visit to Beijing last year.  Why did Gordon Brown not do the same, publicly, during his visit?

The Labour line

• Urgent clarification has been sought about what is actually happening on the ground.  Restraint is needed on all sides. Substantive dialogue is the only way forward.  The Prime Minister has committed himself to meeting the Dalai Lama when he visits London in May.

The Lib Dem line

• Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg has repeatedly called for Gordon Brown to meet the Dalai Lama when he visits the UK in May.