WASHINGTON, USA - The State Department Monday protested China's deletion of parts of a taped television interview by Secretary of State Colin Powell shown to the Chinese people during his visit last week.
China's decision to telecast the interview was considered a positive step by authorities to inform the Chinese people.
But several references to China's human rights record and a brief one to Taiwan were deleted.
``We have strongly protested that deletion in Beijing and will do so today in Washington,'' Charles F. Hunter, a department spokesman, said.
``We know that the Chinese authorities' views on Taiwan and human rights differ from ours, but we believe the Chinese people are mature and sophisticated enough to hear both their own government's views and those of others who may disagree,'' he said.
The state-owned Chinese television enterprise had agreed to broadcast the interview without censorship, Hunter said. ``So the decision not to broadcast the full message that the secretary taped was counterproductive,'' he said.
On human rights, Powell called on the Chinese people to ``continue to move forward with respect to the treatment of people with different religious beliefs, or different ways of practicing their faith.''
Also, he said, while the United States wanted to see China play a more active role in the world ``we think it's important for us to point out where improvements are appropriate.''
On Taiwan, Powell referred briefly to a 1979 U.S. law that set up an unofficial relationship with the island and authorized the sale of U.S. weapons for self-defense.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be absorbed by the mainland.
``We don't want to point the finger at China and say you must do it our way,'' Powell said in reference to human rights.
But, he continued in the section that was deleted, ``we think there are international standards that would benefit China to adhere to.''
On a personal note, Powell said as a black man 40 years ago it would have been unthinkable for him to dream about becoming secretary of state.
``But here I am,'' he said.
AP-NY-07-30-01 1538EDT
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press.