China vows to advance int'l human rights exchanges, cooperation

China will actively propel international human rights exchanges and cooperation over the next five years, according to an action plan released on Thursday.

China will cooperate with the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, by answering letters from it, inviting, as appropriate, representatives of the body to visit China, and continuing to recommend Chinese experts for posts in the Special Procedures, says the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020).

China will conduct exchanges and cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and hold dialogues on human rights with relevant countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect, according to the action plan released by the State Council's Information Office.

China plans to "increase consultation and cooperation on human rights with the other four BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa), developing countries and the G77 (group of developing nations), and provide technical assistance in human rights field demanded by other developing countries," it says.

China will also participate in regional and sub-regional activities on human rights, such as the Informal Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Seminar on Human Rights, the action plan reads.

In addition, overseas Chinese enterprises will be urged to abide by the laws of the countries in which they are stationed, and fulfill their social responsibilities when conducting foreign economic and trade cooperation, providing assistance and making investment.

China will support and promote the participation of non-governmental organizations in international human rights exchanges and cooperation, the action plan states.

Meanwhile, China pledges to "continue to earnestly fulfill its obligations to the international human rights conventions to which it has acceded."

For example, China will complete the third report on implementing the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and submit it to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for consideration, says the action plan.

China will also continue to advance related legal preparations and pave the way for ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, according to the action plan. Endi