Fool's Errand': Tough-Talking Hillary Clinton Says Chinese System Is Doomed

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says in an interview that China's human rights record is "deplorable" and that history is on the wrong side of governments that resist democracy.

The comments were published on the web site of The Atlantic magazine Tuesday, as top U.S. and Chinese officials, including Clinton, held high-level talks in Washington.

Clinton was asked if China's government is scared by the protests against authoritarian regimes that have rocked the Middle East and North Africa.

She says: "They're worried, and they are trying to stop history, which is a fool's errand. They cannot do it. But they're going to hold it off as long as possible."

Since February, China has questioned or detained hundreds of activists.

Editor's note: Read the complete story here.