ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses Xi Jinping's human rights policies by focusing on the following areas: the domestic human rights situation; the People' Republic of China (PRC) posture towards foreign ideational influences, including 'Western' ideas and foreign NGOs involved in human rights, rule of law, and democratic reform; the PRC's bilateral interactions with foreign governments on human rights; and its engagement with the international human rights regime. It begins by discussing the linkage between human rights in China and the PRC's external relations. The chapter focuses on changes since Xi Jinping's rise to power. After outlining recent developments, the chapter offers some explanations for the Chinese government's behaviour. When the bilateral government exchanges were introduced in the 1990s, foreign governments hoped that they might be a vehicle to discuss human rights and bring China into increasingly norm compliant behaviour. Xi has overseen the strengthening of China's national security apparatus in ways that could fuel greater government repression.
