PM Paroubek says he discussed human rights violations with his Chinese counterpart

The Czech Prime Minister, Jiri Paroubek, said on Tuesday that he discussed the sensitive issue of China's human rights violations with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. Mr Paroubek refused to disclose any details but said the topic came up during talks on the EU arms embargo on China, an embargo that the Czech Prime Minister stressed was an issue between Beijing and Brussels that Prague could not influence.

Mr Paroubek, who is currently on an official visit to China, also said three agreements in the fields of the automobile industry, the environment, and finance are currently being drafted that would improve economic bilateral cooperation. According to the internet news agency Euro OnLine, Mr Paroubek declined offers by Chinese politicians to buy Czech 'Vera' radar systems.