ICC Note: This Chinese diplomat may be technically correct that he is not obligated to testify before the U.S. Congress. However, the fact that the government of China never wants to speak about the human rights situation already speaks volumes.

By Michael Lamon

10/15/2015 China (VOA News)

China’s ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, told VOA he is not obligated to testify before Congress on China’s human rights record.

Republican Congressman Chris Smith invited Cui to testify about China’s human rights record after a congressional report pointed to a “disturbing deterioration” of human rights in China.

VOA talked to Cui Wednesday at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ (NCUSCR) annual black-tie gala.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told Reuters that the report “embraces a persistent bias in order to make irresponsible remarks about China’s domestic affairs, and makes criticisms that don’t accord with the facts.”

“I don’t think that they have any correct understanding of China,” Cui said when asked about the report.  “I hope that they have the capacity to learn.”

Cui rejected the suggestion that accepting Smith’s invitation to testify would be an opportunity to provide some of the information he believes the report lacks.

“I have no obligation to testify in the U.S. Congress,” he said.

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