A continuing partnership with Jiangsu Province in China, proposed by the ruling Conservatives at Essex County Council, must be accompanied by a robust expectation of improved human rights for the Chinese people living in the province, maintains the County Council's Liberal Democrats group. Cllr Mike Mackrory, Liberal Democrats deputy group leader said:

"We accept that as China is the world's largest growing economy, it is in the financial interests of Essex to continue a business and education link with China. However, we have deep concerns about doing business with a nation that has such a poor history of human rights abuses against its own citizens.

We are troubled about the lack of law reform and the number of executions that are still taking place in China. We also have concerns about China's censorship of the media and the internet and its treatment of domestic journalists; there is currently a man serving a 12 year prison sentence in Jiangsu Province, in connection with his internet writings.

I have asked the leader of the council to use his influence to highlight these issues to our partners in Jiangsu Province. The Conservatives are promoting an improved quality of life for the people of Essex from this partnership, but they must prove that this is not done at the expense of a reduction in the quality of life for the citizens of Jiangsu."