Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank also the witness for being here. I just had an opportunity to look at your record of commitment to human rights, and it's very impressive. Certainly we're very honoured and congratulate you for the courageous acts you've done over many years to promote human rights in China.
I want to ask you a question in relation to what is happening on the ground. I think that would be very important for us when we talk about whether we need to have a broader dialogue, not just with the Chinese government but also with the Chinese people and the non-governmental organizations that exist on the ground.
Can you give us an assessment? Are these organizations growing? Are you aware that they're growing in China? What types of pressures are they facing on a daily basis, and are they able to help us with this dialogue with China or are they very much constrained by the government to participate in an open manner?