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China Calls for Eradication of Racism
Colonialism, foreign invasions, slave trade and apartheid are all typical manifestations of racism, which inflicted untold sufferings on the countries and people across Asia, Africa and Latin America, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya said Sunday in Durban.
"From the Pacific to the Indian Ocean and from South East Asia to Middle East, none of the cradles of ancient human civilization was spared by the wreckage and destruction" by colonialists and foreign invaders, said Wang while addressing the third World Conference Against Racism, which is being held at the Durban International Convention Center.
However, he said, thanks to the strenuous and protracted struggle by the people of Asia, Africa and Latin America and the joint efforts of the international community, nearly a hundred countries shook off the shackles of the colonialist rule and won national emancipation and independence.
The United Nations, since its establishment, has launched the Three Decades to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other important instruments, forcefully carrying forward the fight against racism across the globe, Wang said.
"At this very moment, however, we must be clearly aware that the struggle against racism remains an uphill and prolonged endeavor," the Chinese vice minister said, adding that as the pernicious influence of old racism lingers on, many countries are still beset with poverty, internal conflict and turmoil.
He pointed out that racism of new forms continues to grow and incidents of xenophobia, discrimination against immigrants and racial violence keep cropping up, adding that neo-Fascism and neo- Nazism are rearing up their ugly heads in some countries, and all these are manifestations of contempt against and trampling on the equality and dignity of mankind.
"What is more, racial hatred and bloodshed is on the rise in the Middle East and the Palestinian people are still deprived of their legitimate rights and interests. The international community should take a clear stand on this issue," Wang noted.
He said that in order to win the war against racism, the world must face up to history and eliminate the root of both old and new racism, advocate equality and mutual respect and enhance mutual understanding through dialogue, and boost cooperation for the common development of all countries in the world.
"The Chinese government has attached great importance to this conference and taken an active part in all its preparation," he emphasized.
"In order to answer the call of the U.N. and enhance the awareness of people from all walks of life of the issue of racism, the Chinese government sponsored the Seminar on Internet and Spread of Racism last July in Beijing", which proclaimed that all countries, while strengthening nationwide education and enhancing their citizens' awareness against racism, should improve the related legislation so as to effectively stem the spread of racist rhetoric via Internet, Wang said.
"Let us, taking the opportunity of the World Conference Against Racism, discard pride and prejudice, deeply reflect on the past and present, and work out effectual measures to uproot racism, a cancer on the tissue of human society, once and for all, and work together for a beautiful world of equality, amity, harmony and prosperity," he said.
World Conference Against Racism Opens in S. Africa
The third World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) was officially opened Friday morning at the International Convention Center in Durban by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
About 14,000 delegates worldwide were present at the opening ceremony, including presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, Jozo Krizanovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires of Cape Verde, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo, Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
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