‘A lot still needs to be done in China on human rights,’ admits Jintao

WASHINGTON - Chinese President Hu Jintao has acknowledged that “a lot still needs to be done” in his country over human rights.

Jintao said this while addressing a joint press conference with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington.

He also defended China’s commitment to protecting and promoting human rights.

“China is a developing country with a huge population and also a developing country in a crucial stage of reform,” the BBC quoted Jintao, as saying.

“China faces many challenges in social and economic development. A lot still needs to be done in China on human rights. We will continue our efforts to improve democracy and the rule of law in our country,” he added.

Obama, on the other hand, admitted that differences on human rights issues were “occasionally a source of tension” between the two countries.

“I believe part of justice and part of human rights is people being able to make a living and having enough to eat and having shelter and having electricity. We welcome China’s rights,” Obama said.

“We just want to make sure that [its] rise occurs in a way that reinforces international norms, international rules, and enhances security and peace as opposed to it being a source of conflict either in the region or around the world.”

“We have an enormous stake in each other’s success - we will be more prosperous and more secure when we work together,” he added. (ANI)