Madam, - Your Editorial of September 26th says that the main challenge facing the leadership of China is how "to create a new system of due legal process and political rebalancing which would reflect a more sophisticated society".
One of the biggest challenges facing China, however, is its failure to take its international human rights responsibilities seriously. While there has been some progress on human rights, such as limited reform of the death penalty system, in other crucial areas the government's record has deteriorated.
China is now a major international player with considerable power. The evidence that Amnesty International has been able to gather suggests that China has been a significant supplier of arms to Sudan. The unfolding human rights disaster in Darfur needs to be urgently addressed. Amnesty International will be delivering thousands of cards, signed by Irish people, to the Chinese embassy on October 4th, urging China to use its influence with the Sudanese government to allow access to the UN peacekeeping force and respect the UN arms embargo on Sudan.
The Irish Government promised to raise the issue of Darfur with Chinese deputy premier Zeng Peiyan during his visit to Dublin this week. We would be most interested to hear his response. - Yours, etc,
KAROL BALFE, Campaigns Officer, Amnesty International Irish Section, Dublin 2.