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Beijing bound Rudd to raise China human rights
Thursday, 7 August, 2008
Members of a police SWAT team lineup outside the main Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during a rehearsal of security drills. (Getty Images)
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the international community should continue to pressure Beijing on human rights, even though he believes the Chinese deserve credit for progress on the issue.
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Mr Rudd’s comments came as he left Australia bound for the Olympic city where he is expected to meet with China's President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during the four-day visit.
China's record on human rights has returned to the spotlight in recent days with the international media focus on Beijing ahead of the Olympic Games.
Four foreign activists staged a dramatic protest yesterday by scaling a pole close to the Olympic stadium and unfurling banners calling for independence for Tibet.
But, Mr Rudd says, China should also be credited with having made progress towards improving its human rights record.
"I believe the responsibility of the international community is still to speak with a strong and united voice on these questions while recognising that over time some progress has been made in China," Mr Rudd told the Nine Network.
"Remember, it was not all that long ago they were in the middle of the cultural revolution with people getting put up against a wall and basically knocked off," he said.
Mr Rudd, due to depart for Beijing later today, said he would continue to encourage a peaceful dialogue between China and those calling for independence for Tibet.
"Let's not overstate it, you're not going to turn the events of centuries around in the matter of a few days, but what you can do is continue to apply the appropriate level of scrutiny.
"I intend to do that, while building on what I think is a very important (relationship) with China which is also Australia's largest trading partner."
Mr Rudd will be in Beijing for four days, after which he'll visit South Korea and Singapore.
Source: AAP/SBS
IN DEPTH: The Beijing Olympics
RELATED: Who's who in Beijing
VIDEO: Britons detained in Olympic protest
YOUR SAY: How well do you think Australians will perform in the Beijing games
BLOG: Smiling through the mist
Mr Rudd’s comments came as he left Australia bound for the Olympic city where he is expected to meet with China's President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during the four-day visit.
China's record on human rights has returned to the spotlight in recent days with the international media focus on Beijing ahead of the Olympic Games.
Four foreign activists staged a dramatic protest yesterday by scaling a pole close to the Olympic stadium and unfurling banners calling for independence for Tibet.
But, Mr Rudd says, China should also be credited with having made progress towards improving its human rights record.
"I believe the responsibility of the international community is still to speak with a strong and united voice on these questions while recognising that over time some progress has been made in China," Mr Rudd told the Nine Network.
"Remember, it was not all that long ago they were in the middle of the cultural revolution with people getting put up against a wall and basically knocked off," he said.
Mr Rudd, due to depart for Beijing later today, said he would continue to encourage a peaceful dialogue between China and those calling for independence for Tibet.
"Let's not overstate it, you're not going to turn the events of centuries around in the matter of a few days, but what you can do is continue to apply the appropriate level of scrutiny.
"I intend to do that, while building on what I think is a very important (relationship) with China which is also Australia's largest trading partner."
Mr Rudd will be in Beijing for four days, after which he'll visit South Korea and Singapore.
Source: AAP/SBS
