Religious curbs a focus of visiting MPs

British lawmakers visiting China have voiced concerns over curbs on religious freedom and other human rights on the mainland, and pledged to raise the issues with state officials during their trip.

The nine-member British parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee delegation began its visit in Hong Kong yesterday. As a part of its inquiry into the impact of China's emergence internationally, the MPs will also visit Beijing, Shanghai, Tibet and Taiwan.

Committee chairman Mike Gapes said issues of concern would include the state of religious freedom on the mainland.

'We are concerned about abuses to people's right to freely worship. We are concerned where people are imprisoned or treated badly because of religious views, and we know that the human rights record in China in that regard is not a good one,' he said.

'We have had evidence already ... from human rights organisations ... We also want to see the situation for ourselves.'

The committee will publish a report to advise the British government after the fact-finding trip.