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Rice asks China to value rights, fair play

BEIJING, March 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday encouraged China to respect human rights and to play by the rules in its trade with other countries.

Rice met with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to discuss peace and security in the Asia Pacific region, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the South China Morning Post reported.

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A senior U.S. State Department official said democracy, human rights and religious freedom were also on the agenda, topics Rice did not press in her meetings Sunday with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Rice discussed the trade deficit and intellectual property issues in a meeting with Vice Premier Wu Yi. Wu said that China would like to import more technology and high-tech products from the United States, Xinhua reported.

"As the Chinese economy is becoming such a big factor, it really is critical that people know that China is acting within the recognized rules of the international economy," Rice said at a press briefing.

Of the Chinese leaders, Rice said, "We have agreed that we have many interests in common. When we have differences, we can handle them and address them with respect."

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Rice left Beijing Monday, concluding her six-nation Asian trip.

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