This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24611657

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
China defends human rights record at United Nations China defends human rights record at United Nations
(35 minutes later)
China is defending its human rights record before a UN panel in Geneva for the first time since President Xi Jinping assumed office. China has defended its human rights record before a UN panel in Geneva for the first time since President Xi Jinping assumed office.
The review is part of a regular process undergone by all UN member states every four years. An envoy acknowledged some challenges in promoting human rights, but underlined social and economic advances in the country.
China's review comes amid criticism from rights groups that it has failed to address issues - such as detention of activists - in its last review. All UN member states undergo the review once every four years.
The Foreign Ministry said China was sending a "very large" delegation. China's review comes amid criticism from rights groups that it has failed to address issues in its last review.
Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that this "demonstrates the importance the Chinese government has put" on its second human rights review. It was previously recommended that China make improvements in areas including poverty reduction and rights of ethnic minorities.
China began its defence by outlining the country's social and economic advances, citing better earnings, improved access to health, education and care for the elderly. China said it had made social and economic advances, access to health and education and care for the elderly.
When China's human rights record was reviewed four years ago, its representatives told the UN no Chinese citizens were punished for expressing their opinions and China did not censor the internet, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva. Chinese envoy Wu Hailong was quoted by the AFP news agency as telling the UN panel the recommendations "either have been implemented or are being carried out, and our commitment has been basically fulfilled".
Human rights groups disagree strongly with this, saying activists are regularly harassed and detained, torture is widespread in prisons and media is heavily restricted. While some UN member states - among them Venezuela and Indonesia - praised China's human rights record, others including Germany, Mexico, Canada, and Ivory Coast expressed concerns over alleged torture in prisons, the continued use of the death penalty, and restrictions on freedom of speech and the media, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva.
Human rights groups have said that activists are regularly harassed and detained, torture is widespread in prisons and media is heavily restricted.
In the run up to this review, it appears a number of Chinese activists have been arrested or banned from travelling, in a bid to prevent them testifying in Geneva, our correspondent adds.In the run up to this review, it appears a number of Chinese activists have been arrested or banned from travelling, in a bid to prevent them testifying in Geneva, our correspondent adds.
Ahead of proceedings on Tuesday, at least three Tibet activists scaled scaffolding at the UN headquarters in Geneva, with a banner saying: "China human rights - UN stand up on Tibet".Ahead of proceedings on Tuesday, at least three Tibet activists scaled scaffolding at the UN headquarters in Geneva, with a banner saying: "China human rights - UN stand up on Tibet".
A Chinese government white paper released earlier on Tuesday said that Beijing has no intention of altering its "correct" policies in Tibet as they have brought "unprecedented achievements",A Chinese government white paper released earlier on Tuesday said that Beijing has no intention of altering its "correct" policies in Tibet as they have brought "unprecedented achievements",
Activist missingActivist missing
The review comes a day after wealthy Chinese businessman Wang Gongquan was formally arrested on suspicion of "gathering crowds to disturb public order".The review comes a day after wealthy Chinese businessman Wang Gongquan was formally arrested on suspicion of "gathering crowds to disturb public order".
Mr Wang is considered a key supporter of a group of activists pushing for more official transparency, New Citizens Movement, which has been targeted in a crackdown this year.Mr Wang is considered a key supporter of a group of activists pushing for more official transparency, New Citizens Movement, which has been targeted in a crackdown this year.
A number of bloggers and journalists have also been detained over alleged "rumour-mongering", and high-profile micro-bloggers targeted.A number of bloggers and journalists have also been detained over alleged "rumour-mongering", and high-profile micro-bloggers targeted.
A well-known legal rights activist has also recently disappeared after being questioned by Beijing airport police, a rights group says.A well-known legal rights activist has also recently disappeared after being questioned by Beijing airport police, a rights group says.
Cao Shunli has not been seen since 14 September, when she was barred from boarding a flight to Switzerland to attend a UN human rights training course, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.Cao Shunli has not been seen since 14 September, when she was barred from boarding a flight to Switzerland to attend a UN human rights training course, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.
The UN panel - with a rotating membership of 47 states that does not currently include China - has no binding powers. The review was to be broadcast live on the internet. The UN panel - with a rotating membership of 47 states that does not currently include China - has no binding powers. The UN is expected to deliver a report on China later this week.