June 16, 2020 -- President Xi Jinping said human rights are based on history, specifics and reality, and he criticized human rights-related discussions that disregard the specific social and political conditions and historical and cultural traditions of different countries.

 

The evaluation of human rights in a certain country should not proceed by comparing that country with others, not to mention adopting double standards or even using human rights as a political tool for interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries, Xi said.

 

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the comments in a signed article due to be published in Thursday's edition of Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

 

In the article, he said China will further promote global human rights governance and carry out the international struggle for human rights.

 

Also, the country will promote the all-around development of human rights, strengthen the protection of human rights under the rule of law, and carry forward the correct concept of human rights, Xi said while elaborating on China's future priorities for advancing human rights at home and abroad.

 

It is a common pursuit of humanity to safeguard human life and ensure that everyone enjoys human rights, according to the article.

 

The article noted that respecting and protecting human rights is the unremitting pursuit of members of the CPC as the Party's history over the past century features efforts in seeking, respecting, championing and developing human rights.

 

Historic achievements have been made in the development of human rights in China since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the article noted.

 

In advancing human rights, successful experiences have been summarized in respecting and securing human rights, and a new path has been explored in following the trend of this era and adapting to China's specific conditions, the article said.

 

These successful experiences include staying true to the leadership of the CPC, honoring the people's main role in the human rights cause and acting based on the nation's actual situation.

 

China's successful experiences also include prioritizing people's rights to survive and develop－which is the prime human right－as well as securing human rights through the rule of law, Xi noted.

 

China has also been proactive in participating in global human rights governance, he said.

 

Developing human rights is a common cause for the whole of mankind, and all the countries are entitled to choose their own ways to develop human rights, Xi said.

 

Different cultures and countries should be respectful and inclusive toward each other, and they should embark on exchanges and learn from each other, he added.