China advocates global human rights cooperation

China has called on all nations to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, foster constructive dialogue on human rights, and collaborate to advance the global human rights cause, according to a statement by a foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made these comments during a daily press briefing in response to questions about China’s human rights efforts and criticism from certain Western countries.

Mao highlighted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted 76 years ago, as a milestone in human civilization with a profound impact on the global human rights movement.

She emphasized that China prioritizes the respect and protection of human rights, placing people at the center of its development. She noted that China has developed a human rights path aligned with its national circumstances, achieving historic progress in this area.

Mao pointed to China’s success in eradicating poverty, lifting nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty within a decade, and achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development targets ten years ahead of schedule.

She further noted that China has enhanced its whole-process people’s democracy, with over 2.7 million deputies at various levels of people’s congresses, including about 3,000 deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), ensuring that the people govern their own country.

China has established the world’s largest systems for education, social security, and healthcare, with the average life expectancy rising to 78.6 years. Legal protections for human rights have also been strengthened, supported by 305 laws currently in effect, Mao added.

Mao highlighted China’s contributions at the Human Rights Council through initiatives focused on cooperation, development, and the rights of specific groups. These efforts aim to positively influence global human rights governance.

She also noted that reforms proposed during the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China encompass over 300 measures in areas such as economy, politics, culture, and ecology, aiming to enhance social equity and improve human rights protections.

Mao criticized certain countries for using human rights as a political tool, creating challenges for global governance. She urged these nations to abandon “megaphone diplomacy” and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the guise of human rights concerns.