Chinese Premier hits out at human rights claims

The Chinese Premier has hit out at the portrayal of China in Ireland as a country that violates human rights.

In a hard-hitting speech to business leaders, Zhu Rongji said China could not operate in a global market if international standards on human rights were not being observed. If it did, he said, China could not survive for one day.

The Premier surprised reporters when he told those gathered that, according to Irish media reporting, China has been reduced to nothing more than a human rights issue.

He urged business leaders present to tell what they know of China – as a country with a thriving economy where the 1.3 billion people enjoy comfortable lives".