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China's Hu meets with U.S. House, Senate leaders

The Associated Press Published Thursday, January 20, 2011 8:57AM PST

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. greets China's President Hu Jintao on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011. From left are, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the president, Reid, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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WASHINGTON - Chinese President Hu Jintao heard concerns about China's human rights and economic policies as he wrapped up his official visit to Washington with meetings on Capitol Hill.

Hu met separately with House and Senate leaders Thursday before a scheduled lunch with businessmen and departure for Chicago.

House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement that participants at the House meeting "raised our strong, ongoing concerns with reports of human rights violations in China, including the denial of religious freedom and the use of coercive abortion" as a result of China's one-child policy.

He said they also addressed the need for China to better protect intellectual property and curtail the aggressive behaviour of North Korea.

Hu later met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and top senators on the Foreign Relations Committee.