China is drafting a new four-year plan to improve human rights, a top official said Wednesday, amid ongoing international criticism over restrictions on political and civil liberties.

State media quoted State Council Information Office director Wang Chen as saying the new action plan would set "comprehensive and systematic" goals, but did not give any detail.

The new National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015) is the second of its kind, said Wang, praising what he said was the success of the version introduced in 2009.

"The fulfillment of all targets and tasks in the action plan as scheduled shows that the cause of human rights in China has entered a new stage," state news agency Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.

However, rights groups including Human Rights Watch have said China failed to honour the 2009 plan's vow to stop the use of torture or other illegal means to extract confessions, which it said remained "routine."

A promise to stop illegal detentions has also fallen short, with the practice still widespread, they say.

China's rights record is routinely criticised by Western nations including the United States and European Union, although the country's Communist government insists basic human rights are guaranteed for all citizens.

It responds to criticism by pointing to the nation's progress in lifting millions out of poverty through economic reforms in the past three decades, but says rights abuses may occur because the country is still "developing".

However, in recent months the authorities have launched their toughest campaign against government critics in years after online appeals emerged in February calling for weekly protests like those that have swept the Arab world.

Rights lawyers and activists were among those rounded up, including Ai Weiwei, a prominent artist and government critic who was released last month after three months in detention accused of tax evasion.

earlier related report
Ai Weiwei accepts chair at German university
Berlin (AFP) July 13, 2011 - Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has accepted a guest professorship at Berlin University of the Arts, it said Wednesday, although it was unclear when he will be able to take up the post.

"When the artist can take up his professorship is unclear," the Udk said in a statement.

"After almost three months in prison Ai Weiwei was released on bail from prison on June 22. It remains to be seen when he will be allowed to leave China."

Police have accused Ai of tax evasion and the government said he was freed because of his "good attitude" in admitting to the charges against him, his willingness to repay taxes he owes and on medical grounds. He has diabetes.

Rights groups have however said the outspoken 54-year-old, who is known for his fierce criticism of the ruling Communist Party, was detained as part of a wider clampdown on activists launched in February.

The UDK said on April 21 that it had offered Ai the professorship after his detention on April 3, saying it "stood for the freedom of the arts and therefore for the freedom of artists."

The UDK is one of Germanys few art colleges with full university status, offering more than 40 courses in arts and related academic studies at its four colleges of Fine Art, Design, Music and Performing Arts.

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