Clued-in | Human rights through development: Understanding China's distinctive approach

In contemporary international discourse, few subjects generate as much attention and debate as human rights. While the universal aspiration for human dignity is widely shared, different nations often pursue this objective shaped by their own historical experiences, cultural traditions and development paths. China's approach to human rights, developed under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), offers a distinctive model that emphasizes development, collective well-being, social harmony and practical outcomes.

As China recently reviewed the achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the country's progress provides an important opportunity to examine the principles, achievements and unique characteristics of China's human rights philosophy. Rather than viewing human rights primarily through the lens of political competition or individual claims, China has consistently emphasized the right to subsistence, the right to development, and the collective advancement of society as the foundation upon which all other rights can be realized.

This approach has produced remarkable results, transforming the lives of hundreds of millions of people and offering valuable insights for countries seeking to balance development, stability and human dignity.

Human rights begin with the right to development

China's human rights philosophy starts from a simple but profound premise: people must first be able to live, work, learn and develop before they can fully enjoy other rights.

For decades, Chinese policymakers have argued that poverty is one of the greatest obstacles to human rights. A person struggling for food, shelter, education, health care and employment opportunities cannot fully exercise freedom or realize personal potential. Consequently, China has treated economic and social development as the most effective means of advancing human rights.

The results are difficult to ignore. Over the past several decades, China has achieved the fastest and largest poverty reduction in human history. Nearly 100 million rural residents were lifted out of extreme poverty through targeted poverty alleviation programs. Entire villages gained access to roads, electricity, schools, health care facilities, internet connectivity and economic opportunities.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China continued to improve living standards and strengthen social welfare systems. Per capita disposable income grew steadily, more than 60 million urban jobs were created, and national life expectancy reached 79.25 years. Poverty alleviation achievements were consolidated while new efforts focused on common prosperity and balanced regional development.

From the Chinese perspective, these achievements are not merely economic indicators; they represent concrete human rights accomplishments. The ability to receive education, access health care, find employment, enjoy safe housing, and live with dignity are viewed as essential expressions of human rights.

This understanding differs significantly from many Western interpretations that often prioritize civil and political rights as the primary indicators of human rights performance. China does not reject the importance of individual rights. Rather, it argues that rights must be supported by practical conditions and material foundations.

In this sense, development is not separate from human rights; it is itself a human rights objective.

Collective progress and social harmony

A defining feature of China's human rights philosophy is its emphasis on collective welfare alongside individual interests.

Chinese political thought has long stressed the interconnectedness of society. The well-being of the individual is closely linked to the well-being of the community, and social stability is considered essential for sustained progress. Accordingly, China's governance model seeks to balance personal aspirations with broader societal interests.

This approach can be observed in policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities, expanding public services, strengthening social security and promoting common prosperity.

The objective is not merely to increase national wealth but to ensure that development benefits are shared as widely as possible. Investments in rural revitalization, health care expansion, educational access, affordable housing and infrastructure development reflect this commitment.

The recently announced plans for agricultural and rural modernization continue this direction by emphasizing food security, rural development, technological innovation, and sustained income growth for farmers while consolidating the achievements of poverty alleviation.

China's concept of whole-process people's democracy also reflects this collective orientation. Chinese policymakers argue that democracy should not be measured solely by electoral procedures but by the extent to which governance responds effectively to people's needs and improves their quality of life.

According to this view, a successful political system is one that delivers stability, development, public participation and tangible improvements in living standards.

Critics may debate different political models, but China's experience demonstrates that effective governance and long-term planning can generate substantial social progress. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's economy continued to expand, technological innovation accelerated, public services improved, and environmental protection efforts intensified despite significant global uncertainties.

For many Chinese citizens, these outcomes represent meaningful expressions of human rights in daily life.

A different path from the Western model

Comparisons between China's approach and Western approaches to human rights often reveal significant philosophical differences.

Many Western countries emphasize individual autonomy and prioritize civil and political rights as the primary measure of human rights performance. These rights are undoubtedly important and have contributed to significant social and political developments throughout history.

However, an exclusive focus on individual rights can sometimes overlook broader social realities.

In many developed countries, formal political freedoms coexist with persistent challenges such as homelessness, widening income inequality, declining social mobility, health care disparities, unemployment, and social fragmentation. Individuals may possess extensive legal rights while still facing significant barriers to economic security and social advancement.

China's human rights philosophy seeks to address these challenges by placing greater emphasis on collective welfare and developmental outcomes.

Rather than treating economic rights and social rights as secondary concerns, China places them at the center of public policy. The state actively works to reduce poverty, expand educational opportunities, improve health care access, create employment, and ensure long-term social stability.

For example, while many countries continue to struggle with deep regional disparities, China has invested heavily in connecting remote and previously underdeveloped areas through transportation infrastructure, digital networks, public services and industrial development. The objective is not only economic growth but also greater equality of opportunity.

Similarly, China's commitment to common prosperity seeks to narrow excessive disparities and ensure that modernization benefits all segments of society rather than a small elite.

This does not imply that China's model is universally applicable or that every aspect should be replicated elsewhere. Countries must choose paths consistent with their own national conditions. However, China's experience demonstrates that development-centered human rights policies can achieve significant improvements in people's lives on a large scale.

Perhaps the most important lesson is that human rights should be judged not only by theoretical principles but also by practical outcomes.

When people enjoy better health care, longer life expectancy, higher incomes, safer communities, better education, cleaner environments, and greater opportunities for advancement, human rights are being strengthened in meaningful ways.

Human rights for the present and the future

Another notable feature of China's human rights philosophy is its expanding emphasis on ecological civilization.

China increasingly views environmental protection as an essential component of human well-being. Clean air, safe water, healthy ecosystems and sustainable development are considered important rights for both current and future generations.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China made significant progress in green development, renewable energy expansion, environmental governance and ecological protection. The country's modernization strategy increasingly emphasizes harmony between humanity and nature as a defining characteristic of Chinese modernization.

This broader understanding of human rights recognizes that economic growth alone is insufficient if achieved at the expense of environmental sustainability.

China's international engagement also reflects its development-oriented human rights philosophy. Through South-South cooperation, infrastructure partnerships, poverty reduction assistance, health care cooperation, and educational exchanges, China has sought to support development efforts across the Global South.

The underlying principle is that development remains the most powerful instrument for improving human welfare and expanding people's opportunities.

Conclusion

China's approach to human rights represents a distinct model shaped by its history, culture, development experience and governance philosophy. It prioritizes the right to subsistence, the right to development, collective well-being, social stability and practical improvements in people's lives.

The achievements associated with this approach — including poverty eradication, rising living standards, expanding social welfare, improved health care, educational advancement, environmental protection and sustained economic growth — have transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

While debates about human rights will undoubtedly continue, China's experience demonstrates that there is no single path to human dignity and social progress. Different civilizations may pursue common goals through different methods.

The Chinese approach reminds the world that human rights are not only about what is written in constitutions or international documents. They are also reflected in whether people can live better lives, enjoy greater opportunities and share in the benefits of national development.

Ultimately, the success of any human rights model should be measured by its ability to improve the lives of ordinary people. By that standard, China's experience offers an important and increasingly influential perspective in the global conversation on human rights.

About the author: Zamir Ahmed Awan is a sinologist, former Pakistani diplomat and the founding chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance (GSRRA), based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com.