According to Dong Yunhu, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, China has been playing a more active role in international human rights by promoting human rights dialogues and communication with other countries.

In 2004 alone, China held human rights dialogues and consultations with Australia, Canada, Britain, the European Union, Norway, Germany, and Holland, strengthened communication in the field with such developing countries as Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Laos, and hosted a series of seminars and workshops on human rights issues.

Dong also indicated that China made contributions to the human rights cause within the framework of the United Nations (UN), as China has been consecutively elected and appointed a member of the UN Commission on Human Rights since 1981.

"All these efforts China has made to boost domestic and international human rights have been widely acknowledged," Dong said.

The white paper entitled "China's Progress in Human Rights in 2004" published by the Information Office of the State Council this April sets out the effective projects jointly launched by China and the UN in the field of human rights. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation was signed by China and the UN in 2000.

In 2004, China held a seminar focusing on a UN questionnaire highlighting violence against children. A detailed answer to the questionnaire was submitted to the UN, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) China office. In December 2004, after careful study, China submitted its answer to another UN questionnaire on child pornography on the Internet.

Lin Bocheng, vice-chairman of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development said China has also written international legal documents on human rights. In January and September 2003, the Chinese government sent specialists to attend a drafting course on "Legally Binding Normative Instruments for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances," and the "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities." So far, China has attended 21 international conventions on human rights.

On December 10, 2003, Julian Hunte, chairman of the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly, presented the United Nations Human Rights Award to Deng Pufang, chairman of the China Federation of the Disabled. "It was the first time such an award had been given to a Chinese as well as the first time it had been presented to a handicapped person," said Lin, adding: "It was also an appreciation of the international community for years of effort made by China in promoting and protecting human rights."

Since 1991, China has published eight white papers on human rights, giving a dynamic view of the human rights cause in China backed by facts and figures. "The white papers also powerfully rebutted criticisms made by some Western countries," Dong stressed.

With strengthened governmental exchange and cooperation in the field of human rights, China's non-governmental organizations (NGO) have also been able to carry out wide-ranging communications with their foreign counterparts.

"A dialogue platform on human rights among governments, NGOs and human rights organizations has been established. This will enable the rest of the world learn more about China's achievements in this field," Lin said.

China, Australia Cooperate on Human Rights

In related news, China and Australia approved the Human Rights Joint Technical Cooperation Program for 2005 to 2006 in Beijing on Monday, part of the human rights dialogue between the two countries. The two sides expressed their wish to cooperate in such fields as poverty relief, teenagers' rights, democracy in communities, and ethnic minority affairs.

Shen Guofang, China's Assistant Foreign Minister said that the China-Australia human rights dialogue has moved into "an in-depth, practical and dynamic track of development".

"The cooperation on the issue will not only help improve the human rights protection work in the two countries, but also enrich bilateral ties", Shen noted.

Shen's view was echoed by Geoff Raby, Australia's Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, head of the dialogue delegation. Raby said that Australia highly values cooperation with China on international human rights protection, and China has achieved remarkable progress in the cause.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2005)