DAVID Miliband is meeting leading members of Manchester's Chinese community - as he called for China to dramatically improve its human rights record.

The Foreign Secretary was launching a new 'framework for engagement' with the world's most populous country.

The document promises better economic and political ties - but also demands significant 'internal reforms' by the Chinese government.

It calls for media freedom, the end of imprisonment without trial, less use of death penalties and 'meaningful autonomy' for Tibet.

Mr Miliband was due to discuss the document with leading members of Manchester's Chinese community this afternoon.

Disastrous

The move comes amid renewed concern that China has failed to push on with greater openness promised ahead of last year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

More than 300 Chinese intellectuals last month backed a manifesto calling for more democracy and warning that social tensions were building to 'disastrous' proportions.

Mr Miliband told the M.E.N: "We don't duck the issue in terms of human rights. We have significant differences about the way to approach these issues."

He is also due to hold private meetings with Muslim and Jewish community leaders in Manchester in the light of the bloody conflict in Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary told the M.E.N the violence had been 'terrible testimony to the failure of a political process to deliver a Palestinian state and a secure Israel.'

"We are at a very dark and dangerous time," he said. "This is a running sore that causes ructions right across the world."

Solution

Mr Miliband said he was committed to a '23-state' solution involving leaders from across the Middle East.

"The unusual thing about this problem is that most of the solution is clear," he said.

Mr Miliband also praised the 'warmth and humility' of the new American president Barack Obama.

"He has the potential to be one of America's greatest presidents but it is history that will decide," he said. "You can't write it in advance."

On Mr Obama's predecessor, George Bush, Mr Miliband added: "The American people were ready for a change.

"There will clearly be a reckoning but one day after he has left is not the best time."