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From www.courant.com 

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China's Leader To Visit Yale

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Associated Press

April 16, 2006

NEW HAVEN -- President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China is scheduled to visit Yale University on Friday, prompting some students to demand a closer look at the country's human rights record.

University President Richard C. Levin, who has visited China six times and spearheaded more than 60 collaborations with Chinese universities, will host the high-security visit by the head of state.

"It's a huge event. No doubt about it," said Deborah Davis, a professor of sociology at Yale and a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

Several student groups support the university's work with China, but are seeking more discussion about accusations of human-rights violations in the world's most populous nation. A report by Human Rights Watch this month called China's record on human rights "grim" and said it continues to deteriorate.

"I think it's great that Yale has such a strong relationship with China, but this is an opportunity that extends beyond just sending students to study at a Chinese university, said junior Chris Rhie, who is part of the student organization Social Justice Network. "Yale is in a position to advocate for human rights."

To boost security, protesters will be kept more than a block away on the New Haven Green and area streets will be closed to traffic during Hu's address late Friday morning.

Yale also will move about 100 classes out of buildings in the immediate area.

Hu will give a public-affairs speech and respond to questions. Levin's talk with Hu is likely to focus on education.

More than 300 Chinese students are enrolled at Yale and an additional 300 undergraduates are enrolled in Chinese language classes, with scores participating in various exchange programs.

Yale also has two major biomedical research centers at Peking University.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press

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