German Chancellor Addresses Human Rights during China Visit
Germany’s first female leader is giving attention to human rights among other issues during her first visit to China as chancellor.
On Monday, Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed human rights issues with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing alongside topics such as nuclear weapons, piracy and trade. She said the issue of human rights is "an important issue of bilateral dialogue."
"I think in future meetings we will continue to talk about this issue," she told reporters.
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The daughter of a Lutheran pastor, Merkel is greatly concerned about religious freedom in China, according to some German officials. And one of the key points of this trip, they say, is to “observe the real situation in the Chinese society.”
During a high-profile meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush on May 11 at the White House, three Chinese Christian activists had commented that German leaders "are not respected in China" because they have tried to avoid human issues so that they can enjoy economical benefits. Bush, in response, said that he would call Merkel in person to urge her emphasize human rights issues.
Following her visit with China’s premier, Merkel was scheduled to meet with an influential Shanghai bishop on Tuesday for talks on religious freedom in the communist state, The Associated Press reported yesterday. Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian, who was jailed for 27 years after the Communist takeover but was restored after Mao Zedong’s death in 1976. The 90-year-old bishop is part of the state-sanctioned Catholic Church but is pushing for stronger ties between China and the Vatican. Jin is recognized by the Vatican and was invited, along with three other bishops, by the Vatican to attend the international bishops’ conference. However, China’s recognized Catholic Church had refused to send them.
According to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), Merkel also plans to meet with Chinese human rights activists at the German Embassy, including the author of the forbidden book “Zhongguo Nongmin Diaocha” in China. The book, which translates to “A Censorship of Chinese Farmers,” compiles the stories of injustice faced by farmers in rural areas and the corruption of the Chinese government officials. The book was banned by the Chinese government within three months of its publication in March 2004. Western countries, however, have welcomed the book.
