On March 3, 2010, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying at request met in the Foreign Ministry with former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. Fu briefed on China's human rights development as well as the Chinese government's unremitting efforts in promoting and protecting people's rights. Fu said that it is normal for different countries to have different views on human rights, since they have different histories, cultures, traditions and social systems, and dialogue should be conducted based on the principle of mutual respect and equality. China and Germany have carried out fruitful cooperation in various areas and the German-Chinese Dialogue on the Rule of Law is an effective mechanism to enhance understanding and cooperation through dialogue. Fischer said that China is playing an increasingly important role on the international arena and has made substantial progress in the human rights field over the past three decades with people's livelihood improved. These are the enormous achievements of the Chinese government that the people can be proud of. China should transmit more information about itself to the outside world, he added.

Fischer and his delegation are visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. Besides Beijing, they will also visit Shanghai.