US, China wrap up annual human rights dialogue

WASHINGTON – The United States and China have wrapped up two days of talks on human rights.

The annual dialogue gives Washington a chance to broach thorny issues that are a perennial sore point in U.S. relations with Beijing, including its treatment of democracy activists and repression in Tibet.

A State Department statement issued after the talks ended Tuesday in Washington said they covered rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, labor rights and other human rights issues but gave no specifics.

It said the two delegations, led by Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner and China's Director General for International Organizations Chen Xu, visited the Supreme Court and nongovernmental and media organizations.

Posner is to brief journalists about the dialogue Wednesday.