Participants display T-shirts at a rally against racism and hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, May 15, 2021. A few hundred people including government officials and local residents from several cities in San Mateo participated in the rally on Saturday, calling for all cities and communities to unite and to stop racism and hate crimes. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on relevant countries to face up to their disgraceful history of racism, take the lead in resisting all forms of racism, as Africans and Asians are still sufferers. 

Wang made the remarks while attending a high-level meeting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action via video link. 

He said that the slave trade and colonialism are the main sources of racism. People of African and Asian descent, as well as indigenous people, were the victims of these actions in the past, and they are still suffering from them.

"Relevant countries should at least have the courage to face up to this disgraceful history, take measures to eliminate the suffering, and have more responsibility to take the lead in resisting all forms of racism," Wang stressed.

China calls on all countries to uphold an attitude of zero tolerance, establish a sound legal framework to combat racism, address systemic racism and law enforcement violence, ban incitement to racial hatred and end impunity, Wang said. 

Wang said that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a common commitment of all countries. China warmly welcomes and firmly supports the UN General Assembly to hold a commemorative meeting on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of this document.

China advocates strengthening dialogue and exchanges among different races and cultures, discarding arrogance and prejudice based on race, color and language, and creating a social environment free from discrimination. 

China calls for ensuring that everyone enjoys the right to development, and eradicating the soil for racism such as poverty, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparity, said Wang.

China will continue to work with other countries to completely eliminate racism and build a world where everyone is equal, Wang said.

Global Times