EU condemns China arrests

The EU's foreign policy chief has expressed alarm at the "deterioration of human rights" in China and called for an end to arbitrary arrests and disappearances.

Lady Ashton yesterday called for the immediate releases of artist Ai Weiwei and dozens of other activists, lawyers and intellectuals detained in recent months.

The artist was detained on 3 April as he attempted to board a plane to Hong Kong in Beijing. China says he is under investigation for suspected economic crimes, seen as code for voicing criticism of the regime.