Peking lectured on rights

The US Treasury Secretary, Lloyd Bentsen, told China to improve human rights for its own citizens or risk losing trade concessions, Reuter reports from Peking. 'What we're looking for is concrete, serious progress,' Mr Bentsen said after meeting the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Peng.

Mr Bentsen is the highest-ranking member of the US administration to visit China since President Bill Clinton took office. Mr Bentsen said he was pleased by China's release earlier this month of two prominent political prisoners, but said Chinese officials gave no sign they were willing to do more.