Congressional China Caucus

The issue of human rights in China is intensifying as China clamps down on dissidents and activists, with the latest being Sunday’s detention of dozens of peaceful Christians for openly practicing their faith when police forced them into vans and buses.  Reports suggest that perhaps as many as one hundred people have been arrested or have otherwise disappeared in recent months in one of the largest crackdowns in China we've seen in over ten years.

On Friday, the State Department released its annual Human Rights Report.  The report’s China section cited the negative trend of the PRC authoritarian state’s increased attempts to limit free speech, rein in civil society and silence political activism.  You can read the report here.

China responded with their own report on U.S. human rights, labeling the “terrible human rights situation” of the United States.

China's current crackdown and response on human rights shouldn't lead the U.S. to abandon its support for democratic reform in China. To the contrary, it should serve as a springboard for policymakers to renew our rhetoric and action to encourage democratic reforms.

What do you think China’s latest crackdown on dissidents and activists means? What should be the U.S. role in human rights issues in China? Leave your comments below.