Nancy Pelosi, left, speaks with Zhang Ping in Beijing
U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has led a delegation on a rare trip by foreign politicians to Tibet, during a visit to China that included meetings with officials in Beijing.
Pelosi, the former House speaker, has been a frequent critic of China’s human rights record, including in the remote Himalayan region where Beijing is accused of suppressing demands for greater religious and cultural freedoms.
She was asked about her Tibet trip during a meeting yesterday with Zhang Ping, a vice chairman of the Chinese parliament, but her response was inaudible to journalists in the room. The Tibet visit was not announced in advance.
Pelosi made no direct reference to Tibet In her opening comments at the meeting with Zhang at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of the legislature in the heart of Beijing.
“We consider (the meeting) an important one, to be with your distinguished colleagues, as we increase our relationship between the two Congresses and we’ll talk about our two countries as well and the success of the presidents’ meetings,” Pelosi said.
The visit by Pelosi and six other Democrats was intended to focus on boosting trade ties, along with talks on national and cyber security, climate change and human rights.
Pelosi has been outspoken on the issue of human rights throughout her nearly 30 years as a Democrat representing California in Congress. She last traveled to China in 2009.
Details about the length of the delegation’s visit to Tibet and its agenda were not immediately available. AP
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