PM Gordon Brown Offers Condolences on China Earthquake Anniversary

The Prime Minister has offered his condolences to the Chinese Government and people ahead of Tuesday’s anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake.

Gordon Brown discussed the anniversary during talks with Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan at Downing Street on Monday.

Thousands of people were killed in the 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the Sichuan province of south west China on 12 May 2008.

The Prime Minister and Vice-Premier also discussed the economy and climate change. The leaders agreed that the second meeting of the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue demonstrated the strength of the economic relationship between the UK and China and emphasised the importance of full implementation of the commitments made at the G20 Summit in London.

On climate change, the Prime Minister made the case for an ambitious global deal at Copenhagen in December.

The Prime Minister also raised the issue of human rights, including Tibet, on which the UK supports further dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese Government.