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

U.S. Department of State

Robert Wood
Deputy Department Spokesman

Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC
October 15, 2009

12:48 p.m. EDT

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QUESTION: Robert, do you have any fresh concerns with China's continued suppression of Uighurs through executions and death sentences? And also, is China ignoring the Department's 2008 Human Rights Report? And recently, did China in any way pressure Washington against an official visit by the Dalai Lama? He was recently in the States.

MR. WOOD: Well, I think we have said previously with regard to our concern about some of the things that were happening in Xinjiang, and our position remains that we remain concerned about those types of activities that took place, but -- what was the second part of your question -- sorry -- Charley.

QUESTION: Asking about -- is China ignoring the 2008 Human Rights Report that went from the Department here to Congress?

MR. WOOD: Well, it's hard for me to make that -- a big generalization about whether China is ignoring our 2008 Human Rights Report. We have consistently raised our concerns about human rights with the Chinese. We do it on every opportunity that we can. And our Human Rights Report makes very clear what our concerns are about a number of human rights issues in China. I can't give you a scorecard right now on where they are, but the Chinese are certainly well aware of our concerns, and we will continue to push those issues where we are concerned about human rights violations and go from there.

QUESTION: Do you have a specific comment on the death sentences that have been inflicted today?

MR. WOOD: I don't have an official comment on it. I saw some of the reports, but I don't have anything. At some point, I'm sure we may have something to say and we'll get that to you, but I don't have anything official.

QUESTION: You mean after they already execute them? You can't say anything if --

MR. WOOD: I haven't -- look, again, I've seen the reports.

QUESTION: -- you don't think this is a good idea.

MR. WOOD: Look, I've only seen the reports and I always like to make sure --

QUESTION: Are you seeking clarification from the Chinese about it?

MR. WOOD: Again, I have -- I've just seen the reports, haven't been able to get any official word on it.

QUESTION: Well, aren't the reports alarming to you?

MR. WOOD: I haven't -- I've only seen the reports. If the reports are true, yes, we obviously are concerned about those types of things. But before I can say more, I'd like to have some more details about what may or may not have taken place.

QUESTION: Will Secretary meet with the Dalai Lama at some point somewhere?

MR. WOOD: You're asking me to speculate into the future. I just don't know.

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(The briefing was concluded at 1:12 p.m.)