BEIJING. Apr 2: Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans told Chinese premier Li Peng today of his concern over the latest detention of leading dissident Wei Jingsheng, but said his exchanges were not encouraging, reports AFP.

Evans told journalists after a meeting today with LI that he had raised the subject of Wei's detention, but added: "I can't say that the result of that particular exchange was very encouraging."

It was the second time In a month that Wei — who was attempting to return to Beijing from the nearby city of Tianjin — had been arrested.

Evans said he told Li "this added a whole new degree of difficulty in resolving the MFN (Most-FavoUred-Nation) issue with the United States and was a continuing matter of concern. a new matter for a good.

deal of the rest of the International community, including of course ourselves.''

The Australian Foreign Minister said Li did not seem to be aware of the latest developments and responded with a lecture on "the virtues of sticking to bilateral relations and larger question of international relations rather than internal affairs."

The premier’s reaction was not forthcoming on the subject of Wei Jingsheing. It's not a subject that the Chinese government authorities care to talk about or care to talk about in polite terms anyway.'"

The reason for Wei’s detention Friday and his present whereabouts remain unclear.

The 43-year-old activist.

was among more than 15 dissidents picked up in ■ police sweep in early March.