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<title>CANADA AND OTHER COUNTRIES JOIN IN PROTEST AGAINST HARSH SENTENCING OF CHINESE DISSIDENTS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 23, 1998 <em>(3:50 p.m. EST)</em> No. 297</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CANADA AND OTHER COUNTRIES JOIN IN PROTEST AGAINST HARSH SENTENCING OF
CHINESE DISSIDENTS</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada had joined Austria, Germany, Norway,
the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union in making a joint diplomatic démarche to the
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, to protest the harsh sentences delivered recently by China to
three Chinese dissidents.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada is deeply concerned over the heavy sentences imposed on political dissidents in China," said Mr.
Axworthy. "The long prison terms handed out this week to Chinese political activists are not consistent with the
October 5, 1998, signature by China of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a development
that was welcomed by Canada."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada's Ambassador to China participated in the joint political démarche to urge China to release Xu Wenli,
Qin Yongmin and Wang Youcai, who were respectively sentenced to 13, 12 and 11 years in prison for their
political activities.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"We value the bilateral dialogue that we have established with China on human rights issues," said Secretary of
State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan. "We therefore expect the Chinese authorities to show greater tolerance for
the peaceful expression of political views by their citizens."</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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