Readout of the Vice President's Meeting on Human Rights and Reform in China

The Vice President and senior Administration officials met yesterday with four experts and advocates on human rights and legal reform in China: Dr. Xiaorong Li, Professor Benjamin Liebman, Mr. Kenneth Roth and Ms. Jianying Zha. They discussed the deterioration of China's human rights situation, prospects for reform, and recommendations for U.S. policy. The Vice President underscored the Administration's belief in the universality of human rights and its commitment to human rights as a fundamental part of our foreign policy. He reiterated his view that greater openness and protection of universal rights is the best way to promote innovation, prosperity, and stability in all countries, including China.