China, EU hold human rights dialogue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-21 01:48

BEIJING: China and the European Union held the 28th round of human rights dialogue in Beijing.

Senior Chinese Foreign Ministry official Wu Hailong and Jan Nordlander, the ambassador at large for human rights of Sweden, co-chaired the dialogue.

Wu, director-general of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of Foreign Ministry, expounded China's measures to deepen reform on judicial system, to ensure judicial impartiality and to conduct international cooperation in human rights affairs.

Nordlander also briefed the Chinese side on the EU nations' new legislation and new measures to improve human rights.

The two sides agreed to maintain the positive momentum of the human rights dialogue and exchanges, to promote the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the dialogue, the two sides also introduced each side's recent progress in human rights protection, and exchanged views on the rule of law and the international cooperation on human rights.

Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei met with the EU delegation. During the meeting, he said the dialogue was an important channel for China and the European Union to handle human right affairs in a constructive way.

He hoped the two sides abide by the principles of equality and mutual respect for the healthy development of China-EU dialogue on human rights.

China valued the EU's role in international affairs, and would work with the EU to push forward China-EU relations, he said.