• N. Korea Rejects U.S. Food Aid; Gives No Reason

  North Korea has refused to accept future U.S. food aid and has also expelled five groups that distribute American aid in the country, a State Department spokesman said Tuesday.

• Petition Asks China to Recognize N. Korean Refugees

  Nearly 50,000 signatures were collected for a petition asking China to grant refugee status to North Koreans fleeing famine and persecution in their country, reported a U.K.-based ministry.

• Chinese Church Leaders: 'Secret Meeting' Not Supported by Gov't Despite Claims

  The Chinese government did not officially support a meeting between its church body and house church leaders as a January report claimed it had, according to participants of the gathering.

• U.S. State Department Slams China on Human Rights

  In stark contrast to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s softer remarks on China’s human rights, the U.S. State Department report on Wednesday had sharp criticism for the eastern superpower over rights violations ranging from religious repression to extrajudicial killings.

• Clinton Criticized for Not Making Human Rights a Top Priority

  Several U.S. Congressmen expressed "dismay" this week over Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement that human rights would not be a top priority for the United States in its dealings with China.