Speakers:
Li Xiaojun, head of the Publicity Department of the Bureau of Human Rights Affairs of the State Council Information Office (SCIO)
Li Xiaomei, special representative for human rights at the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Li Xiao, first-level inspector of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court
Chang Jian, director of the Research Center for Human Rights of Nankai University
Zhang Yonghe, executive dean of the Human Rights Institute of Southwest University of Political Science and Law
Chairperson:
Shou Xiaoli, deputy head of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
May 31, 2021
Shou Xiaoli:
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this briefing held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). The briefing is on the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020). Today, we are joined by Mr. Li Xiaojun, head and second-level inspector of the Publicity Department of the Bureau of Human Rights Affairs of the SCIO; Ms. Li Xiaomei, special representative for human rights at the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Li Xiao, first-level inspector of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and SPC senior judge; Mr. Chang Jian, professor and director of the Research Center for Human Rights of Nankai University; and Mr. Zhang Yonghe, professor and executive dean of the Human Rights Institute of Southwest University of Political Science and Law. First, our speakers will take turns to brief you on the issues and will then take questions.
Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Li Xiaojun.
Li Xiaojun:
Good afternoon, everyone. The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020) is the third plan of its kind formulated and implemented by China since 2009. It is also the first action plan that meshes with China's five-year plan for national economic and social development. Over the past five years, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, central and local government bodies, departments and all sectors of society have worked together to secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China has won a complete victory in its fight against poverty, and effectively safeguarded people's lives and health in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Given this, the action plan has been implemented in a comprehensive manner. The main targets and tasks have been met as scheduled, and dozens of indicators have been completed ahead of schedule or surpassed. The Chinese people's sense of gain, happiness and security has been significantly enhanced.
Living a happy life is the primary human right. The action plan espouses a people-centered development philosophy, striving to address the difficulties and shortages in developing human rights in China. It highlights efforts to remedy deficiencies and strengthen weak links, focusing on safeguarding the rights of poor people, disadvantaged groups and vulnerable groups, in a bid to achieve fairness and justice. The implementation of the plan has strengthened China's capacity to safeguard people's economic, social and cultural rights. People's civil rights and political rights have been protected more effectively, and the rights of ethnic minorities, women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities have been fully safeguarded. Human rights knowledge has been publicized, and human rights education has been ingrained into people's minds. International communication and cooperation on human rights have also been fruitful.
We have also gained new experience through implementing the action plan. This includes adhering to the leadership of the CPC, the guidance of the government, legal protection, public participation, as well as supervision from multiple sectors. The SCIO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took the initiative to set up the joint meeting mechanism for the National Human Rights Action Plan, which functions as a coordinating body. Over 40 central departments and people's organizations have taken their due responsibility to implement and supervise the action plan in an orderly manner. Media outlets, national human rights education and training centers, social organizations and enterprises have all played vital roles in the cause.
China's formulation and implementation of national human rights action plans has been well recognized by the international community. Currently, more than 60 countries have formulated national human rights action plans, and China is one of the few countries that has formulated more than three phases of such plans. In November 2018 when China's human rights record was examined for the third time by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), more than 20 countries spoke highly of China's efforts to formulate and implement national human rights plans. For the UPR session of the UNHRC, this is not common. China is willing to share our useful experiences in promoting and safeguarding human rights with the rest of the world. Meanwhile, China is also working toward making new contributions to the sound development of international human rights and global governance on human rights.
The implementation of the action plan could not happen without effective supervision and evaluation. The joint meeting mechanism for the National Human Rights Action Plan has conducted periodic research, examinations and evaluations on the action plan's implementation, continuously strengthening the efforts. Last year, we also commissioned a third-party research body to evaluate the implementation situation, and detailed reports will soon be published.
As the world's biggest developing country, China completed the eradication of extreme poverty — one of the targets of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — 10 years ahead of schedule. China is also moving up on the UN's Human Development Index. Chinese people enjoy extensive and real democracy and freedom, and China has made remarkable progress in its protection of human rights. In order to provide all Chinese people with better and happier lives, we still need to make efforts in the field of human rights.
China is currently formulating the fourth phase of its National Human Rights Action Plan. We will work in accordance with the target of "promoting the comprehensive development of the human rights cause" put forward by the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). As China embarks on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country, we will better put into practice the principles of respecting and protecting human rights as stipulated in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Constitution of the CPC. The fourth phase of the action plan will soon be published and implemented.
There is no best, only better human rights protection. We have faith that China's human rights cause will see a brighter future. Thank you.
Shou Xiaoli:
Next, let's give the floor to Ms. Li Xiaomei.
Li Xiaomei:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. I'm very pleased to be taking part in this briefing on the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020) on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Formulating and implementing the National Human Rights Action Plan of China is an important move for the Chinese government in practicing the constitutional principle of "respecting and protecting human rights," comprehensively promoting the development of China's human rights cause and fulfilling its international human rights obligations. Over the past five years, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in terms of international communication and cooperation of human rights, making great contributions to the sound development of the international human rights cause. These achievements can be outlined in four main aspects:
First, we have been taking an active part in international human rights governance. In 2020, China was once again elected as a member of the UNHRC. Being one of the very few nations that have been elected as a member five times, China firmly upholds multilateralism, safeguards the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, actively participates in the multilateral human rights mechanism work and advocates promoting human rights through peace, development, cooperation and justice. We have proposed a series of proposals and initiatives at the U.N., and advanced the establishment of a fair, just, rational and efficient international human rights system. Thanks to China's efforts, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been written into resolutions of the UNHRC a dozen times.
Second, we have firmly defended national interests and image. China advocates conducting human rights dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and opposes the politicization of human rights, double standards, and interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. China has firmly safeguarded national interests and dignity, winning support from other friendly and developing countries.
Third, we have earnestly performed our international human rights duties. In 2018, China underwent its third cycle of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UNHRC. The development notions, practices and achievements with Chinese characteristics were highly commended by more than 120 countries and China accepted 284 suggestions proposed by other countries. We timely submitted the implementation reports on several human rights conventions, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Considering China's national conditions, we accepted and implemented reasonable and plausible suggestions.
Forth, we conducted a wide range of communication and cooperation on human rights matters. Over the past five years, we have held human rights dialogues and negotiations with over 20 countries and organizations. We have communicated and cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, received the UNHRC special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, and an independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons on visits to China. We hosted important activities like the 10th Anniversary Meeting of the Adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Symposium on the 30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the United Nations' "Declaration on the Right to Development."
Friends from the media, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat at the United Nations. Being a responsible member of the U.N. family, China has always been an important participant, contributor and constructor in the field of international human rights. This February, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi took part in the 46th Session of the UNHRC and delivered a speech by video. He put forward four proposals, namely, that we should embrace a human rights philosophy that is people-centered, uphold both the universality and particularity of human rights, systemically advance all aspects of human rights, and continue to promote international dialogue and cooperation on human rights, which were received enthusiastically.
In the future, we will be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, continue to earnestly fulfill our international human rights obligations, comprehensively get involved in global human rights governance, advocate common values featuring peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, voice words of justice on international occasions, inject positive strength into international cooperation, help all countries join hands to promote and protect human rights and advance building a community with a shared future for mankind. Thank you.
