BEIJING -- China will hold a major human rights exhibition from November 17 to 26 in Beijing to showcase its efforts and determination to protect human rights, sources with the Information Office of the State Council said here Thursday.

More than 700 pictures, 250 legal documents and over 300 books will be on show at the exhibition, which is said to be the largest ever held in China, according to the office.

Organizers said they hope the exhibition will enable people to get a clearer picture of human rights conditions in China.

"It is everyone's responsibility to respect, protect and develop human rights," said Dong Yunhu, vice chairman of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.

"I believe the exhibition will help promote human rights in China and boost exchanges between China and the outside world on this topic," said Dong.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It is also 15 years since China issued its White Paper on Human Rights in China.

The exhibition will be jointly held by the Information Office of the State Council, the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development.