Germany's Merkel prods China on rights, women

NANJING, China, Aug 29 (Reuters) German Chancellor Angela Merkel pressed China to emancipate its women, improve human rights and take on greater international responsibilities as its global influence grows.

In a speech to Chinese researchers in Beijing yesterday, Merkel said she welcomed China's economic development and rising participation in international affairs, but she also urged Beijing to give its citizens a greater say.

''Human rights are of very high importance to us,'' Merkel said, adding that rights needed to include freedom of religion, press and expression.

''Nobody has the right to put himself above others ... human dignity cannot be divided.'' China has been criticised by many in the West for its treatment of journalists, minorities and religious groups, a subject that has gained weight in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games next year.

In the morning Merkel met a group of Chinese journalists including one who had been dismissed from a state-run newspaper for decrying censorship.

Merkel said that international attention on China was sure to grow in the lead-up to the Olympics. ''The world will be watching China more intensely than ever before,'' she said.

She urged China to continue pressing Sudan to help create peace in Darfur and restated the German position that all countries needed to work together to halt climate change.

Later Merkel answered questions from law students at a German-Chinese legal institute at the university in Nanjing.

She took the opportunity to speak out on the need for greater emancipation of women in China, where they are usually expected to raise children and take care of the home.

''I say to the women: you need to win recognition,'' she said.

''I say to the men: support your wives, look after the family.'' Reuters RKM VP0435