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E-mail China.org.cn, December 10, 2024
The Hernán Santa Cruz Dialogue on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), was held in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, on Dec. 9.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, sent a written message to the dialogue's opening ceremony.
Noting that ensuring the equal enjoyment of the economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) by all is an important goal for the realization of all human rights, Wang stressed the importance of upholding true multilateralism, adhering to a people-centered approach, and strengthening solidarity and coordination.
China will continue to work with all countries and U.N. agencies to pursue the common values of humanity, advocate safeguarding human rights with security, promoting human rights with development, and advancing human rights with cooperation, to contribute to sound and sustainable development of the global human rights cause, Wang said.
The dialogue brought together senior officials from nearly 50 countries and regions, U.N. experts and OHCHR officials.
Valere Gabriel Eteka-Yemet, president of the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of the Congo, acknowledged China's pivotal role in advancing the development of global human rights governance. He reviewed China-Africa cooperation, particularly the collaboration between China and the Republic of the Congo in promoting ESCR, and expressed his hope that bilateral cooperation and China-Africa cooperation can become a model for South-South cooperation.
The Human Rights Action Plan of China (2021-2025), the country's fourth human rights action plan, outlines the country's commitment to engaging in international human rights affairs, and working toward a better global human rights governance system.
Mo Jihong, director of the Institute of Law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), highlighted that China's contributions to global development through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He added that as a member of the Global South, China has actively assisted developing countries in enhancing their development capabilities.
Mo highlighted China's extensive efforts in international cooperation, noting that over the past decade, China has cooperated with nearly 20 international organizations to implement over 130 projects in approximately 60 countries including Ethiopia, Pakistan and Nigeria. These projects, focused on poverty reduction, food security, epidemic prevention and control, and climate change, have benefited more than 30 million people.
The dialogue also featured panel discussions where global experts shared their insights on challenges, solutions, and international cooperation in promoting the ESCR.
Yong Chanthalangsy, chair of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), underscored that the AICHR has become the leading mechanism for human rights in Southeast Asia and ASEAN, representing the fulfillment of ASEAN's commitment to implement international human rights instruments through the adoption of a number of regional human rights norms and its mainstreamed efforts in regional initiatives.
Huang Jinrong, professor of the Institute of Law at CASS, highlighted China's role in advancing the global ESCR. He noted that through the BRI, Chinese firms have launched more than 300 poverty alleviation, health care and rehabilitation, and Happy Home projects in partner countries over the last decade, significantly enhancing local living standards and economic development.
T Kham Seng, director of the International Organizations and Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, praised China's significant efforts in promoting and protecting the ESCR, highlighting its achievements in poverty reduction and economic reforms. He noted that China's philosophy on social equity and common prosperity showcases a people-centered approach to development, ensuring that every citizen benefits from economic growth.
The Hernán Santa Cruz Dialogue on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is a subsidiary event of the Hernán Santa Cruz Dialogue Series launched by U.N. Human Rights in 2020. It is inspired by the vision and mission of Hernán Santa Cruz Barceló, an early architect of the U.N. human rights system who contributed immensely to the inclusion of economic and social rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
