China proclaims human rights record

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BEIJING, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- China released a position paper on the country's human rights saying it has heightened Internet freedom and improved legitimate civil and political rights.

The country has protected those rights by strengthening democracy and the rule of law, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported Sunday.

"The overall cause of human rights has been promoted in an all-round way," says the white paper, published by the State Council Information Office under the title "Progress in China's Human Rights in 2009."

The report alleges the Internet has become a new way for the Chinese government to gauge public opinion, hence improve its governance.

Xinhua reports the paper says it has become "common practice" for the government to "consult the public" via the Internet before formulating some policies.

"Previously few government agencies were aware of the necessity to release pubic information, prompting the public to sue relevant government agencies, while today it has become a common practice of many government bodies to publicize information," said Chang Jian, vice director of human rights research center of Tianjin-based Nankai University.