Experts hail nation's progress in advancing global human rights

China has made great achievements in protecting human rights, and initiatives proposed by the country will play a pivotal role in the global governance of human rights, experts said at a recent conference.

During the Symposium on the Global Governance of Human Rights and the Role of NGOs, held in Beijing on Monday, scholars and representatives of think tanks and journalists from eight countries discussed the right to development on the human rights agenda of the United Nations, practices of different countries in promoting and protecting the right to development and the experiences of NGOs in promoting and protecting human rights.

The symposium was organized by China NGO Network for International Exchanges.

"Development is the eternal theme of human society. Without development, human rights cannot be guaranteed," said Xiao Lan, research fellow of CNIE, during her opening speech.

"We should adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, strengthen coordination and cooperation, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to constantly improve people's livelihoods and well-being in all countries," she added.

Experts at the symposium hailed the progress made by China in protecting human rights and promoting the right to development.

"Respecting and protecting human rights is the unremitting pursuit of the Communist Party of China and, of course, the Chinese leadership under visionary President Xi Jinping," said Muhammad Zamir Assadi, a journalist with Independent News Pakistan.

"China upholds a human rights philosophy that puts people (in the) front and center.... I would like to say China has achieved historic transformation and development, and made an active contribution to the progress of human rights worldwide.

"In the past decade, China has lifted nearly a hundred million rural poor out of absolute poverty and thus achieved the poverty reduction target set in the 2030 agenda, 10 years ahead of schedule," he said.

Li Xiaojun, deputy secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said that China is at the forefront of protecting the economic, social and cultural rights of ordinary people.

"China's view on global human rights governance is embodied in the National Human Rights Action Plan (2021-25). This is the fourth human rights action plan," Li said. "It proposes to propel the international community to establish a more just, fair, reasonable and inclusive governance system, and work together to build a global community with a shared future."

China has become an important contributor to the global governance of human rights, proposing the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, according to experts.

Xiao, from CNIE, said the GCI is yet another important public good provided by China to the world after the GDI and the GSI.

Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, executive director of the Center for South Asia & International Studies Islamabad, said the Global Civilization Initiative is very commendable and creative, and can help combat Islamophobia and xenophobia.

"Xi Jinping's holistic and comprehensive policies, in terms of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, will be instrumental in the global governance of human rights because both stand for socioeconomic development, human security, mutual respect, dignity and, above all, service of humanity at large," he said.

"Both initiatives are timely, unique, integrated and innovative, which uphold positivity, productivity and participatory approach in global governance ... (a) must for global human rights development," he added.

Noting that 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI, Tian Shichen, founder and president of the Global Governance Institute, said the implementation of the initiative has greatly promoted the right to development of various participating countries.

"Over the past 10 years, the Belt and Road Initiative has responded to the historical trend of economic globalization and the requirement of the times for changes in the global governance system. It has remained resilient and vigorous, continuing to provide new opportunities for participating countries, and promoting and enhancing their development as one core aspect of their human rights," Tian said.