LUXEMBOURG - European Union foreign ministers said on Monday they were concerned about human rights violations in China and would raise their worries at a planned EU-China summit in September.
"The Council (of foreign ministers) stressed its deep concern about... the lack of fundamental respect for fundamental freedoms, including the continuing widespread restrictions on freedom of assembly, expression and association," the ministers said in a statement approved at a routine meeting in Luxembourg.
They also mentioned the situation of minorities in Tibet and traditionally Moslem Xinjiang province, China's curbs on religious freedom and its extensive use of the death penalty.
"It (the Council) underlined the importance that concrete steps be taken by the Chinese government to improve the human rights situation in the country," the statement said.
The EU ministers reiterated their support for Beijing joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) "as rapidly as possible" and for the wider economic reform process in China.
The statement also called for a "peaceful resolution of differences" across the Taiwan Straits and said the EU wanted a broad dialogue with China on issues such as arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The ministers said they would press for annual summits between the leaders of China and the EU, with the location alternating between the two.
The EU-China summit is due to take place in Brussels on September 5.
12:44 06-25-01
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