Beijing - Leading Chinese democracy activists yesterday gave a wary welcome to China's signing of a UN covenant guaranteeing freedom of expression and protection against arbitrary arrest. But all expressed concern Beijing would drag its feet in implementing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. "I'm optimistic about the rights situation in China and welcome the signing," said a veteran activist, Mr Xu Wenli. "But based on past experience, I'm not sure Beijing will fully implement the pact." Mr Xu noted that dozens of political prisoners remained in Chinese jails.
Another leading opposition figure worried that key elements would not be ratified by the National People's Congress. "We noticed that China has expressed reservations about certain parts of the covenant governing freedom of association. We urge the complete implementation of the treaty," said Mr Peng Ming, of the China Development Union, a dissident organisation.
The UN Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, welcomed China's signing of the treaty and urged its speedy ratification, repeating a request she made to President Jiang Zemin in Beijing last month.