BERLIN - GERMANY will press human rights issues at its first joint cabinet meeting with China this week, including the conditions of artist Ai Weiwei's release, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Sunday.
He told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that hopes for stronger economic ties with the world's number two economy did not preclude a frank discussion with Premier Wen Jiabao and his ministers.
'The quality and depth of our relations allows us to talk about difficult topics,' Mr Westerwelle said, pledging to underline 'how important freedom of expression, media freedoms and respect for human rights are to us.'
He said he would take up in particular the case of Ai, who was freed on Wednesday after nearly three months in jail on tax evasion charges, followed by the release of dissident Hu Jia on Sunday.
Ai's detention - which came during a major government crackdown on activists launched in February - sparked furious criticism led by Western governments including Germany which repeatedly urged his immediate release.
However his bail conditions prevent him from leaving Beijing and he has told foreign media that he cannot accept interviews. -- AFP
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