Dissidents urge Trump to press China on human rights

WASHINGTON – Exiled Chinese dissidents are urging President-elect Donald Trump to champion human rights in China and recognize self-governing Taiwan as “a full democratic country.”

Several former political prisoners spoke before at congressional commission days after Trump spoke by phone with Taiwan’s president in defiance of decades of diplomatic convention. That has fueled speculation Trump could adopt a tougher American policy toward China, although he has shown little interest in advocating for civil liberties in the communist-ruled nation.

Rebiya Kadeer (reb-EE-yah kah-DEER), an exiled leader of the Muslim Uighur (wee-GER) minority, said at Wednesday’s hearing, “Any sign that the United States is ready to relinquish its commitment to raising human rights concerns in favour of achieving policy gains elsewhere will be a victory for China.”