President Jiang Zemin raised the issue of human rights at a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday, which also dwelt on the situation in Hong Kong. The two men met for more than an hour at No 10 Downing Street and agreed on the importance of broadening relations. The Prime Minister has been facing increasing pressure in Britain to raise the problems of lack of political freedom, but a Downing Street spokesman said Mr Jiang had been the first to raise the issue. 'Mr Jiang opened the conversation with a round-up of Sino-British relations. He mentioned a number of issues on which there has been co-operation including economic issues and the war against drugs,' the spokesman said. 'He himself raised the issue of human rights and put the point that this was the third meeting the two men had had and it was not the first time they had talked about human rights.' Mr Jiang said both sides had different opinions on civil rights and political freedoms, but hoped that they understood each other's views. Mr Blair had raised the issue of Hong Kong and stressed the importance of the 'one country, two systems' policy, the spokesman said. He said the handover had gone well and Britain and China were now able to build closer relations. 'He expressed concerns over Tibet and expressed how important it was to be able to put this point to the head of state, but acknowledged these issues were just one part of our relations with China.' The President's limousine was squeezed through gates at the Foreign Office immediately opposite No 10 Downing Street to avoid demonstrators at the other end of the street. Mr Jiang smiled broadly and shook Mr Blair's hand, ignoring the noise from about 50 Chinese democrats and Free Tibet protesters who had gathered. Updates at www.scmp.com
