Zhu says China does not have poor human rights record

Chinese Premier Mr Zhu Rongji has said suggestions China has a poor human rights record are an unfounded assertion.

Speaking after talks with the Taoiseach at the State guest house, Farmleigh, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, Mr Zhu said the Chinese constitution provided for freedom of religious belief and that freedom is accepted in reality.

"But Falun Gong is not a religion. It is an evil cult which harms people. So the government has to protect the interests of the people and take legal actions," said Mr Zhu.

Mr Ahern said the Chinese premier today committed to raising the issue of Zhao Ming - a Trinity College postgraduate student detained in a Chinese labour camp for the last year - with the Chinese judicial authorities.

"Over the years we have always discussed the issue of human rights," said Mr Ahern. Today the two leaders also discussed the Irish solidarity with the Tibetan people, he said.

Mr Ahern described China as a key element in the Government's "Asia Strategy", which is aimed at maximising foreign earnings from the region. This strategy began in September 1998 during a visit by the Taoiseach to China.

Mr Ahern said early figures for this year indicated trade between Ireland and China was up almost 75 per cent. Last year, Ireland's trade with China - excluding Hong Kong - was worth £131 million.

Developing these links - particularly in the information technology sector - would be an opportunity to develop Irish jobs, Irish software hi-tech companies and other areas, said Mr Ahern.

The Taoiseach said education was a major aspect of the talks and added both countries hoped to increase the 10,000 Chinese students studying in Ireland.

Mr Zhu said two principle factors were behind his visit - Ireland's rapid economic growth and its hi-tech infrastructural development.

He said China could learn from this development. In return, Mr Zhu offered Chinese construction teams to help with Ireland's infrastructural development programme.

Mr Zhu did not comment when a formal letter of protest from the Falun Dafa - the Irish branch of the Falun Gong - was handed to him via a member of the media. The letter called for a removal of the sanctions against its members that it alleges has left 272 dead.

Today's engagements also include a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet with President Ms Mary McAleese and sign the guest book.