U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2009)

U.S. Department of State

Background Briefing by Senior State Department Official

En Route Moscow, Russia
October 12, 2009

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Yes, I'll just add that Prime Minister Putin had a long-scheduled trip to China that was on his schedule when our schedule was made.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: When you were -- when you were in China, the Secretary's explanation really was we know what they're going to say. (Inaudible.) Do you support human rights (inaudible)? Now, how does that compare with what Russia (inaudible) hear the same thing from Russia (inaudible)?

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Well, I mentioned that she would have a meeting with Russian civil society groups. And the purpose of that meeting is to hear from them what they think the human rights and democracy situation is in Russia and to express her interest in those areas and the interests of the United States. And so she'll want to hear from these people directly about their concerns and about the ways the United States can help.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]