When the US was facing up to the allegations of torture in Iraq, China was quick to jump on the bandwagon. Of course the difference is the Americans are now openly and actively investigating the allegations and will punish the perpatrators. China, on the other hand, has reverted to type:

China has postponed a visit by the UN special investigator on torture, saying it needs more time to prepare, an official said yesterday.

"The need for additional time to prepare for the two-week visit, especially given the different authorities, departments and provinces involved, was cited by the government as a reason for the postponement," a statement on van Boven's Web site said.

The UN has tried for almost a decade to arrange the inspector's visit, but China's government has repeatedly stalled on granting permission. Human-rights groups say China has been unwilling to accept the terms of a visit, which include measures such as allowing unlimited access to prisons without prior notice and confidential interviews with detainees and representatives of civic groups.