BEIJING-an unusually large group of 10 US Senators visited by the authorities on the country's embattled dissident community in China on Wednesday amid a major crackdown.

It was one of the largest and most senior Senatorial delegations ever set foot in China. The visit was in the works for some time, but was delayed by negotiations in Washington about the federal budget.

On Wednesday, members of the delegation, led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid met Vice Premier Wang Qishan and central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan in Beijing to discuss trade and finance.

Details of the discussions were not immediately released, but Wang said the size of the delegation the importance Washington placed on bilateral relations showed.

Reid said he expects the negotiations "free flowing".

The Group was scheduled for Thursday with Vice President Xi Jinping, widely touted as the next leader of China, and the head of China's rubber-stamp legislature, Wu Bangguo, for travel to the cities of Chengdu and Xi'an. Last three days was their visit expected.

"During talks with Chinese officials, the group will discuss including clean energy, trade, currency, foreign policy and human rights," the delegation said in a statement issued on his arrival in Hong Kong on Monday.

China's yawning trade surplus with the United States and the allegations that it deliberately undervalues its currency, the yuan, to stimulate exports is expected to feature prominently in the talks.

The delegation comprises together with Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Dick Durbin of Illinois, along with Republicans Richard Shelby of Alabama and Mike Enzi of Wyoming.

Dozens of well-known Chinese lawyers and activists from all over the country are gone, interrogated or criminally detained for subversion in the 2-month-old crackdown, apparently sparked by the Chinese Government fears of a Middle East-style anti-Government protest movement.

Human rights groups say the crackdown on a scale not seen in many years, with the security forces arbitrary tactics to hold in their houses in spite of the Chinese law people. China has responded to complaints about the crackdown by those detainees, including internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei, use of the law as cover for attacks on the ruling Communist Party to blame.

View the original article here

Do you like this article? Share It!