Biden Highlights Human Rights at Start of U.S.-China Talks

Two days of top-level U.S.-China talks began in Washington on Monday (May 09). In the opening session, the U.S. Vice President set a blunt tone with Beijing on human rights concerns.

[Joseph Biden, U.S. Vice President]:

“We have vigorous disagreement in the area of human rights. We've noted our concerns about the recent crackdowns in China including attacks, arrests, the disappearance of journalists, lawyers, bloggers, and artists. And again, no relationship can be built on a false foundation. Where we disagree it's important to state it. We'll continue to express our views on these issues as we did on the Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing two weeks ago.”

In recent months, the Chinese regime has increased its efforts to silence dissent. More dissidents and human rights advocates have been arrested, detained, and disappeared.

The Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the U.S. and China is an annual event. It will focus mainly on economic and security concerns confronting the two nations.