PM Kevin Rudd to press China on human rights record

By Mark Dodd
The Australian, August 07, 2008

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24140048-5013871,00.html

KEVIN Rudd will use his visit to China for the Olympic Games opening ceremony to again raise Australia's serious concerns over human rights abuses.

Mr Rudd leaves today on a three-day visit to Beijing, where he will attend tomorrow's ceremony and meet President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. He said he would not be put off by the sensitivity of the issue during this important time for China.

"That's part of a mature, responsible relationship with the Chinese Government," Mr Rudd said. "We've raised concerns to the Chinese in the past about human rights in general and about the Falun Gong in particular - I'll continue to do so."

During a visit to Beijing in April, the Mandarin-speaking former diplomat publicly voiced concern over human rights abuses in Tibet in a speech to university students.

In Canberra yesterday, Falun Gong members protested outside the Chinese embassy, claiming more than 8000 of the movement's followers have been arrested in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics.

Amnesty International warned this week that contrary to assurances given to Olympic organisers, China's human rights record had deteriorated in the run-up to the Games.

Among a litany of grievances, Amnesty says activists have been locked up, people have been made homeless, journalists detained, websites blocked, and the use of labour camps and prison beatings has increased.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said yesterday that Australia had "very significant concerns" about the human rights situation in China.

Mr Smith said China had made great economic advances over the past 30 years, but its track record on human rights remained problematic.

"It is the case, regrettably, that we do continue to have very significant concerns," he told Sky News. "Our first desire is of course to see the Olympic spirit celebrated widely - not just in China, but throughout the world.

"We think that's a very good thing for the world. But we will continue, as we always do, to raise human rights issues when we meet Chinese officials."

However, Mr Smith said the Australian Government had no regrets about China being awarded the Olympic Games.