Flims/Switzerland – Today in the question hour of the lower chamber, Mr. Boris Banga from the social democratic party criticized the visit of China’s vice-minister for public security in Switzerland and asked if any plans to exchange sensitive information on persons or other data had been discussed. Mr. Moritz Leuenberger, minister of the federal government, answered on behalf of the federal council and stated that the purpose was mere exchange of thoughts.
The Chinese vice-minister had visited, according to Minister Leuenberger, some police institutions on Canton and on federal level and had a meeting with Mr. Christoph Blocher, minister for police and jusitice affairs, discussing also issues relating security measure in connection to the Olympics 2008 in Beijing.
Mr. Banga seconded with an additional question asking if there is anything that a minister from a democratic country can learn from a totalitarian regime. Minister Leuenberger quite extensively elaborated on the friendly relations with China and expressed his hope that such contacts may help to improve understanding and influence the human rights situation in China.
