Chinese experts and officials have voiced support for the country's newly issued five-year human rights action plan for 2021 to 2025 at a press conference on Tuesday. 

The plan contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to the global human rights cause, and reflects China's advantages and confidence in human rights theory, system, path, and culture, experts said.

The action plan is a phased policy document for China to implement the principle of "respecting and safeguarding human rights" and the requirement of "promoting the comprehensive development of human rights," authorities said at the press conference.

It is the first declaration and roadmap for China to respect and safeguard human rights in the new journey to fully build a modern socialist China, and the fourth national human rights action plan issued by the Chinese government, which has contributed China's efforts to global human rights governance.

Li Xiaojun, an official with the bureau of human rights affairs under the State Council Information Office, said that the action plan, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, has highlighted the characteristics and advantages of the human rights development in China, as it reflects the comprehensive advancement of China's human rights, and highlights ecological and environmental rights, which is also convenient to be implemented.

The action plan contains nearly 200 goals and tasks. It is longer than the previous one, with nearly 30 more goals and tasks. Binding targets account for one third of the total, reflecting China's advantages and confidence in human rights theory, system, path, and culture of respecting and safeguarding human rights. 

"China will open a new chapter in international exchanges and cooperation on human rights," said Li Xiaomei, special representative for human rights at the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Li Xiaomei put forward China's goals and commitments in promoting the development of human rights both at home and abroad in terms of fulfilling its obligations under international human rights treaties, participating in international human rights work, promoting constructive cooperation and dialogue in the field, and contributing China's efforts in the global human rights cause. 

Villagers attend a wedding ceremony held in Xiaohaixin village, their new living community after poverty alleviation relocation, Xundian county, Southwest China's Yunnan. Photo: IC

Responding to the question of how China would participate in global human rights cooperation, Li Xiaomei said that "the historic achievements made by China in terms of eliminating extreme poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects are the best practice in human rights progress." 

"It has not only written a new chapter in the country's human rights cause, but also marked an important milestone in the history of human rights development in the world, enriching the diversity of human right civilization, and contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to mankind," she added.

China's action plan has set a new model in the world. More than 60 countries have developed such plans, but only China, Indonesia and Mexico have made four consecutive action plans, Li Xiaojun noted. 

"The US, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and other countries have not yet formulated any national human rights action plans. We call on these countries, which have been 'crying for' human rights protections around the world, to roll out their own plans in accordance with the international standards as soon as possible, and do something to protect the rights of their own people," Li Xiaojun stressed. 

Global Times