President Jiang Zemin Meets with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
2003-11-25 10:36
President Jiang Zemin met with Mrs. Mary Robinson,
UN high commissioner for human rights at Zhongnanhai on
November 21. The two sides held friendly discussions on
human rights issues. Jiang said that the Chinese
modern history has witnessed relentless struggles by the
Chinese people for national independence and democratic
rights. And the ongoing economic, ethical, cultural and
legal construction is to ensure that 1.2 billion Chinese
people can live and work in peace and contentment, and fully
enjoy human rights and freedoms. China is the biggest
developing country in the world with a large population and
relatively low level of education and productivity. Such
reality must be taken into full account when things are
handled in China. By drawing upon historical experiences,
“we have found a path to promote human rights which is
suitable to China’s conditions.” Through decades
of unremitting efforts and particularly for the past 20
years and more since the reform and opening-up, the living
standards of the Chinese people have been significantly
raised. President Jiang said that it has been a
consistent stance of the Chinese Government to carry out
international exchanges and cooperation in the field of
human rights. Countries differ in history, culture, social
system and level of development, and it is inevitable for
them to have different way, approach and process in which
human rights are realized. The world should be a colorful
one. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or
poor, should have the right to choose their own form of
democracy and political system in light of their national
conditions. Countries should work together to explore
effective ways of promoting and protecting human rights
through dialogue based on equality and mutual
respect. Robinson agreed with Jiang that the world
should be a colorful place and each country have its own
specific national conditions. She said that since she became
high commissioner, she has stressed that the economic,
social, cultural and political rights of citizens be given
equal status. She urged international dialogue on human
rights issues. She is willing to do her part in bridging the
gap between the North and South and promoting international
cooperation. Robinson believed that the Chinese Government
has conducted fruitful exchanges and cooperation with many
countries for the promotion and protection of human rights,
and has won wide acclaim from the international community.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese
Government in the field of human rights. Vice Foreign
Minister Wang Guangya and Resident Representative of the
United Nations Development Program were present at the meeting.
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