Clinton: US to take pragmatic HR approach to China

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers remarks on human rights to students at Georgetown University's Edmund A Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC. Clinton on Monday outlined a pragmatic stance toward human rights in China and Russia, countries she calls key to boosting the world economy and non-proliferation efforts.
The Obama administration will take "pragmatic" human rights policy towards China and Russia, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday.

"Principled pragmatism informs our approach on human rights, informs our approach with all countries but particularly with key countries like China and Russia," she said in a speech Monday on the Obama administration's human rights agenda.

"The assumption that we must either pursue human rights or our 'national interests' is wrong. The assumption that only coercion and isolation are effective tools for advancing democratic change is also wrong," she said.

"Cooperation with each of those (China and Russia) is critical to the health of the global economy and the non-proliferation agenda we seek, also to managing security issues like North Korea and Iran, and addressing global problems like climate change," Clinton said.

"The United States seeks positive relationships with China and Russia," the chief US diplomat said, adding Washington will engage in "candid discussions" with these countries.

The United States government will advocate for a build-up of a civil society in China, and that its religious groups are able to advance their causes within China's legal framework, she added.

"With China, Russia, and others, we are engaging on issues of mutual interest while also engaging societal actors in these same countries who are working to advance human rights and democracy," Clinton said.

People's Daily Online