Photo: Yang Sheng/GT

An international conference on the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Progress on Human Rights in China was held in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin Province on Thursday, with attendees saying that the CPC is confidently introducing its contributions and experiences in promoting human rights in China despite the rising stigmatization from the West recently. 

The conference was sponsored by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Publicity Department of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, and organized by Jilin University.

Foreign scholars and journalists from more than 20 countries and organizations worldwide, including the US, the UK, France, Germany, Egypt, Colombia, and Singapore, as well as Chinese officials and representatives participated in the conference via video link or at the venue. 

Qiangba Puncog, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of 12th China's National People's Congress and president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said at the opening ceremony that under the profound changes of the past century, the traditional Western paradigm on human rights can't provide satisfactory answers and explanations anymore, and the international community is paying high attention to China's initiative and plans.

"The human rights issue is also a 'political tool' for the US and its Western allies to interfere in China's internal affairs and to contain China's development. This has never changed. The struggle on the human rights issue that we are facing will get more intense and complicated," he said.    

He stressed that the CPC's fight for safeguarding and promoting China's human rights in the past 100 years is the most convincing fact that provides confidence for us to speak for China on the human rights issue. 

Human rights in Xinjiang related to Uygur people and Muslims have been mentioned frequently at the conference, and many foreign attendees have shared their opinions to fairly speak for China's efforts in promoting the progress of human rights and to refute Western demonization and stigmatization against China.

Tom Zwart, director of the Cross-cultural Human Rights Centre at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said at the opening ceremony that China has tried to build a harmonious relationship with Uygur people and Muslims in the country but this relationship has been threatened and interrupted by terrorist groups, and many Chinese nationals have been attacked.

This kind of situation has not only happened in China but also in many regions around the world, Zwart said, adding that how to fight against terrorism is a global challenge, and many European countries and Islamic organizations are also discussing this matter.

Zwart said that helping Muslim youth stay away from wrong thoughts that could mislead them is significant and his institute is conducting projects in this regard. He welcomed Chinese Muslims to join the projects as well.  

Many attendees from different fields in China including foreign and legal affairs, academic circles and public health also delivered speeches to introduce China's thoughts and experiences in safeguarding and promoting the progress of human rights, with examples including the fight against COVID-19, social governance and judicial affairs.