Foreign Minister Tuomioja discussed human rights situation in China

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja met Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing on Thursday in connection with President Tarja Halonen's state visit to China. The discussions between Tuomioja and Li focused on human rights and the situation in the Middle East.

Responding to Foreign Minister Tuomioja's inquiry on ratification of human rights conventions in China, Minister Li said that a ratification of a convention on civil and political rights is in process. According to Li, China takes conventions seriously, which requires detailed research and preparation.

Tuomioja brought attention to the concern of Finns as well as Europeans in general on the human rights violations in China that, for example, the members of the Falun Gong movement have been subjected to. Li admitted that the human rights situation in China is not perfect but that the reports by Amnesty International and other organisations provide a wrong picture. Tuomioja said it is possible that Amnesty has made mistakes, but assured that such mistakes would not be intentional nor malicious and that it has no wishes to see China return to any semi-colonial state.

When discussing the situation in the Middle East, Li briefed Tuomioja on the activities of a special Chinese envoy in the region, whose task is to convince all parties of the importance of a peaceful solution. Both ministers stated their agreement with a Chinese strategist Sun Tzu who has said on Iraq that a best victory is a victory without a battle.