# SATA SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE ‘Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania 17 November 2014 His Excellency President Xi Jinping President of the People’s Republic of China Dear President Xi inping, In welcoming you to Australia, may I warmly congratulate you on your leadership on tackling global warming. I have been impressed by the investment that China has already made in every form of renewable energy and in high speed rail. Now with your historic agreement with the United States of America to reduce ‘emissions, and inerease the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption you have increased the momentum towards securing a global agreement in Paris in 2015. Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity, and T hope that your leadership in setting firm targets will encourage other nations, particularly Australia, to follow with strong climate action. I would also like to thank you for including my home state of Tasmania on your itinerary. lam proud that our Tasmanian wildemess is listed as World Heritage and hope that you will be encouraged to return and spend more time exploring our magnificent old growth forests, wild landscapes and coastlines. We have the cleanest air jn the world and food and beverage products of great quality to share with visitors. ‘Tasmania has developed an internationally renowned science research hub based on our proximity to Antarctica and the Great Southern Ocean. Our research institutions and our Mniversity ate world class and it would be wonderful if China would deepen our ties by making Hobart China's Antarctic research and logisties base. ‘As with all genuine friendship, the relationship between China and Australia needs to be based on mutual respect and shared values. To that end I would like to raise my concems with you about human rights in China. In particular [remain concerned about the ongoing persecution of minorities in China, including the Tibetan and Uighur communities, people of the Falun Gong faith and those advocating democracy. Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Australia » Phone: 02 6277 3063 » Fax: 02.6277 5720 Hobart Electorate Office, GPO Box 896, Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia + Phone: 03 6224 8899 + Fax: 03 6224 7599 Email; senatormilne@aph.gov.au ‘wwwehristinemilne orgaencourage you to promote freedom of speech and association and the human rights of all people. I urge you to condemn human rights abuses and to investigate allegations of abuse wherever and whenever they occur. 1 also urge you to stand up for freedom of expression through tolerance of those who express dissent in the community and online, accepting that peaceful expression of diverse views is something to be celebrated, Itis also wrong that so many are held as political prisoners. In particular, I request that you release from prison, Dr. Liu Xiaobo, the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who was sentenced for his role in drafting and co-signing a peaceful statement appealing for political reform, which was signed by tens of thousands of people. 1 also request that you release his wife, Liu Xia, from house arrest, Similarly, [hope that you will respect the calls of the peaceful protesters in Hong Kong who call for free and open elections, and enable them to independently exercise their right vote for candidates of their choice. China's decisions this century will have a profound impact on the ability of the global commons to sustain life on our planet and the capacity of human kind to work together for the common good of all humanity. It is in that spirit that I write. Senator Christine Milne Leader of the Australian Greens