"The Age" Friday April 11

By Lindsay Murdoch, Canberra

Bowing to pressure from China, the Howard Government has agreed to abandon its support for an anti-Beijing resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

The Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, announced the reversal yesterday only hours after winning agreement from China to resume regular talks on human rights.

The Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Laurie Brereton, attacked the decision, saying China's communist hardliners would now not be bothered by Australian criticism of their "abysmal" performance.

The policy reversal follows the visit to China by the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, during which Chinese officials linked Australia's support for the resolutin with an attempt by Mr Howard to reopen formal talks on human rights. Beijing broke off the talks with the then Labor Government six years ago.

The officials had described as confrontational Australia's support for a similar resolution against China every year since 1990. Australia's decision not to support it this year confirms the Government's determination not to allow human rights to damage wider relations with China.

During a meeting with Mr Downer late on Wednesday, China's Justice Minister, Mr Xiao Yang, agreed to restart human rights dialogue.

Mr Downer said the agreement was a "substantial and very welcome development".

He said it would allow discussion on issues such as the future of Hong Kong, Tibet and religious and political freedoms.