US-China to hold human rights talks next week

The United States and China will hold talks on human rights in Beijing next week, including discussions on detentions, arrests and freedom of religion, the state department said on Thursday.

"Discussions will focus on human rights developments, including the recent negative trend of forced disappearances, extralegal detentions, and arrests and convictions, as well as rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, labor rights, minority rights and other human rights issues of concern," the state department said in a statement.

The talks will take place on April 27 and 28 with assistant secretary for democracy, human rights and labor Michael Posner leading an interagency delegation to the talks, the statement said.