Protection of Human Rights Hailed

Protection of Human Rights Hailed

China respects the principles of human rights recognized by the international community, said Li Peng during talks with Janez Podobnik, president of National Assembly of Slovenia.

But it is natural for different countries to have different views on human rights, said Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress.

Comprehensive human rights not only include political rights, but also economic, social and cultural rights as well as the rights of subsistence and development, he added.

Podobnik said although Slovenia is small, it is home to several minority groups. Since China also has minorities, the two countries could learn from each other's policies, he added.

Li said Tibet has been part of China since ancient times. Before 1959, it was one of the areas in the world with the worst human rights record, he said. With the help of the central government, Tibet has since undergone substantial development, he claimed.