Chretien raises human rights with China

The Canadian prime minister, Jean Chretien, has raised the issue of human rights with his Chinese counterpart, Zhu Rongji, on the second day of his visit to China.

Mr Chretien reportedly questioned the Chinese premier about Beijing's repression of the spiritual movement, Falun Gong.

Later, Mr Chretien told journalists that Mr Zhu had described Falun Gong as a social administrative problem and not Canada's concern.

Mr Zhu also said, in response to urgings from the Canadian leader, that he was ready to hold talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, if certain pre-conditions were met.

Mr Chretien is leading Canada's biggest-ever trade delegation to China, which is expected to confirm millions of dollars of new trade. The Canadian premier's policy of engaging with Beijing has attracted criticism at home, and he has been under intense pressure to raise human rights with the Chinese leadership.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service