Foreign Ministry Spokesman on China-UN Human Rights CooperationForeign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said Wednesday (November 22) that China is ready to promote cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on "a gradual basis and through equal consultation."Sun made the remark while briefing journalists on the recent visit to China by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, who was here Monday and Tuesday as guest of the Chinese government. During the visit, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Vice Premier Qian Qichen met with Robinson. She also attended a symposium on economic, social and cultural rights. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Robinson signed with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya, the two sides will carry out a technical cooperation program in the area of human rights. Sun said that during the China visit, Robinson exchanged views with her Chinese hosts on human rights issues and "further enhanced mutual understanding" in that regard. Robinson described the signing of the MOU as "another significant move following China's signing of the two international human rights covenants", and her visit to China as "satisfactory", according to the spokesman. Jiang Meets UN Human Rights High CommissionerPresident Jiang Zemin said different countries should join efforts to explore effective ways in promoting and protecting human rights through dialog based on equality and mutual respect when meeting with Mary Robinson.The president said the Chinese Government has always supported international exchange and cooperation in the area of human rights because each country has its own way, approach and process in realizing their human rights aspirations due to its specific history, culture, social system and development level. Vice-Premier Meets Mary RobinsonVice Premier Qian Qichen told the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson that the Chinese government advocates international cooperation in the area of human rights and hopes to further promote cooperation with other countries in this regard.During a meeting with Robinson, Qian hailed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the development and implementation of human rights technical cooperation programs between Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Robinson. MOU on Human Rights SignedChina and the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reached an agreement on November 20 with officials from both sides signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), under which the two sides will carry out a technical cooperation program in the area of human rights.The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, described the MOU as "a milestone in China's development of its human rights programs with reference to the international human rights standards" and "a significant move made by China." |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |