China Will Resume Talks on Human Rights With US

Beijing trying to improve its image before summer Olympics
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 26, 2008 6:07 PM CST
China Will Resume Talks on Human Rights With US
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, meets with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi in Beijing, China Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. Rice is visiting China as part of her Asian tour. (AP Photo/Adrian Bradshaw, Pool)   (Associated Press)

China said today it is ready to restart a discussion on human rights with the US that has been suspended since 2004, the Washington Post reports. The move, announced by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi after a meeting with Condoleezza Rice, comes as China looks to improve its image before the summer Olympics. A growing number of Western rights groups have criticized Beijing's record in recent weeks.

"We are willing to resume the human rights dialogue," said Yang, adding that the talks must be conducted "on the basis of mutual respect, equality and non-interference." Rice welcomed the move but said no dates have been set. China stopped its human rights dialogue with the US when Washington backed a UN resolution condemning China's policies. (More China stories.)

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