Chinese Premier admits civil rights ‘shortcomings’

Irish people have a limited understanding of China’s human rights policy, Chinese Premier Mr Zhu Rongji said this morning on the third day of his official visit.

Since my arrival a couple of days ago I have watched the TV and read newspapers and found that the Irish people's knowledge about China is, like my knowledge of Ireland, limited The Chinese Premier Mr Zhu Rongji

At a business breakfast organised by Enterprise Ireland, Mr Zhu said there were "shortcomings" in Chinese civil rights and other political and social reforms.

But he said: "Since my arrival a couple of days ago I have watched the TV and read newspapers and found that the Irish people's knowledge about China is, like my knowledge of Ireland, limited.

The impression created by these reports reduces China to three issues - civil rights, Falun Gong and Tibet, he continued. "We are not perfect in our political and social reforms and in our human rights situation. We have shortcomings like any other country in this world."

Yesterday, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern raised his concerns about the communist state's human rights record during "frank and friendly" talks with Mr Zhu.

Mr Zhu made a commitment to investigate the plight of Mr Zhao Ming, a former Trinity College student and Falun Gong member detained in a Chinese labour camp since 1999.

He added recent reforms - of which he is regarded as the chief architect - had quadrupled China's economic output, providing more than enough food and adequate supplies of consumer goods to China's 1.3 billion population, who led "comfortable lives".

Mr Zhu added: "It is hardly imaginable that the Chinese government is not serving the people, it is hardly imaginable that the Chinese government is not observing universal standards for human rights - if the government were not doing these things it could not survive for a single day.

Mr Pat Molloy, Chairman of Enterprise Ireland, this morning congratulated China on its modernisation programme and said the growing bilateral relationship would be beneficial to both countries.

Minister for Trade, Mr Kitt, said early figures for 2001 suggested exports to China were up by 50 per cent. Last year exports to Ireland stood at £131 million - not including the substantial export of services.

Mr Zhu travelled to Co Kerry with his delegation immediately after the breakfast. This afternoon he is meeting local business representatives and visiting companies.

This evening Mr Zhu and will have dinner with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen in Killarney.

Mr Zhu leaves Ireland for Brussels tomorrow morning.

Additional reporting PA