A discussion on the U.S.-China Trade deal. The U.S. State Dept. releases its yearly human rights report. A report on muzzling dissent in China. The U.S. remains deeply concerned about human rights violations in China. Despite the clear expansion of personal freedom for huge numbers of Chinese citizens associated with economic reform over the past several decades, China continues to curtail freedom of speech, expression, assembly, association and religion.
China maintains a one-party state that tolerates no organized opposition.
Authorities engage in the extra-judicial arrest and detention of political and religious activists and restrict religious and spiritual practices. The U.S. is concerned by reports of exploitation of prison labor, human organ trafficking, and coercive family planning practices. China's engagement with the international community has resulted in meaningful improvements in the lives of hundreds of millions of Chinese. The most repressive periods in recent Chinese history occurred in times of international isolation. Exposure to the outside world has brought to the Chinese people increased openness, social mobility and personal liberties.