Chinese President Xi Jinping has held an unusual meeting with a top human rights chief, highlighting the importance his administration places on United Nations official Michelle Bachelet’s landmark visit to China.
Beijing is willing to discuss rights issues and cooperate with all parties on the basis of mutual respect, Xi said in a video call with Bachelet on Wednesday, state broadcaster China Central Television reported. Xi added that each country must follow a path of human rights development that suits it best based on its situation and the needs of its people.
Bachelet told Xi that the U.N. Human Rights Commission she heads is willing to boost communications and discuss cooperation with China. "I admire the efforts and achievement China has made in the areas of poverty elimination, human rights protection, as well as realizing economic and social development,” she said, according to CCTV.