As the Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for his state visit to the UK, The Telegraph examines China’s human rights violations, including the imprisonment of Ai Weiwei and the fallout form the recent Hong Kong protests
By Telegraph 19 Oct 2015
China’s President Xi Jinping arrives later for a four day state visit to the UK. He and his wife will be staying at Buckingham Palace as guests of The Queen.
David Cameron will hold two days of talks with Mr Xi which will be expected to be dominated by significant agreements on Chinese investment in UK infrastructure as well as opportunities for British companies to seek business in the growing Chinese market.
Protests surrounding China’s human rights record are expected throughout Xi’s visit.
In 2014, at least 2,466 people were sentenced to death in China – more than any other country in the world.
While the true number of those who are executed every year remains a state secret, China’s other human rights violations are well-documented.
A Chinese man stands in front of a line of tanks heading east on Beijing’s Cangan Blvd., in Tiananmen Square in this June 5, 1989 (Photo: AP/Jeff Widener)
Those detained for their political or religious beliefs are at high risk of torture in custody – particularly if they refuse renounce their beliefs – with reports of prisoners subjected to electric shocks, suspension by the arms, beatings and sleep-deprivation.
Former Chinese political prisoner Tibetan monk Golog Jigme (Photo: REUTERS/Pierre Albouy)
Dozens of people are believed to remain in prison 20 years after the crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy movement and independent trade unions remain illegal – with labour disputes often met with intimidation and arrests by the authorities.
A woman sits under a yellow umbrella as pro-democracy protesters gather in Hong Kong October 23, 2014 (Photo: REUTERS/Damir Sagolj)
Despite such widespread violations, China’s human rights record remains largely unchallenged.
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