Clinton, Chinese Diplomat Discuss Human Rights
After coming under a barrage of criticism for seeming to downplay human rights in U.S.-China relations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reaffirmed the Obama administration's commitment to promoting human rights after a meeting with a high-level Chinese diplomat this week in Washington.
Clinton called the defense of human rights "an essential aspect of American global foreign policy" on Wednesday, according to CNN.
"It has been a core belief of ours that every nation must not only live by, but help shape global rules that will determine whether people enjoy the right to live freely and participate to the fullest in their societies," she said after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
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The two leaders were said to have discussed China's human rights record and Tibet during their meeting, as well as the global financial crisis and avoiding another Chinese-U.S. naval confrontation like last weekend.
Clinton had gone on a four-country tour of Asia as U.S. Secretary of State in February. During her trip, she made the controversial statement that the U.S. concern for protecting human rights in China cannot "interfere" with other more pressing matters such as the economic crisis, climate change, and security.
Her comment drew fire from congressmen, including some from her own party, as well as human rights groups.
Many reminded her that America has always defended the weak and oppressed in the world and questioned if the country's "allegiance" has changed.
Clinton's comment especially stirred emotions because it came just ahead of the State Department's report on human rights that stated that China's human rights record worsened in some areas, and highlighted the protest and crackdown in Tibet ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games.
But some insiders say the Obama administration is taking another approach to dealing with China's human rights problems that involves less public criticism and more private talks, according to CNN.
