AFP: German chancellor to discuss human rights with Chinese president [Excerpt]

Friday, 05-Apr-2002 6:10AM Story from AFP

BERLIN, April 5 (AFP) - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will raise human rights concerns with Chinese President Jiang Zemin when he visits here next week, a senior official said Friday as rights groups announced protests.

"Human rights is a theme (with China) and will be discussed," when Jiang meets Schroeder on Tuesday, said the official who asked not to be named.

But he said he felt the two governments could handle the subject without open confrontation as the goal is a long-term dialogue rather than "publicly expressed criticism."

Western states have tried to balance criticism of China's human rights record with their efforts to increase trade with the Asian giant.

Trade, particularly in technology, is to be a major subject during Jiang's visit to Germany. Schroeder will also discuss China's progress on legal reform but the official said that this issue would also be tackled with discretion.

"We can influence the situation in another country only when we work in this careful way," the official said.

Jiang arrives Monday for a six-day visit during which he will also meet German President Johannes Rau.

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