Delegation for Human Rights visits Germany, Ireland

DUBLIN - A delegation from the China Society for Human Rights Studies, or CSHRS, wrapped up a seven-day visit to Germany and Ireland on Tuesday, after having extensive exchanges with people from several circles in the two countries.

During the visits, the delegation, which was headed by CSHRS President Qiangba Puncog, held meetings with parliamentarians, diplomats, leaders and scholars of higher education institutes and think tanks of the two countries and discussed matters of common interest.

Qiangba Puncog, who is a former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, China's top legislature, briefed the people he met about the human rights situation in China.

He said that great progress has been made in the field of human rights in China since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, especially after its opening-up and reform in the late 1970s.

China now boasts the largest education system and social security system in the world, he said, adding that the rights, interests and dignity of the Chinese people have never been as fully protected and respected as they are today.

He said that China is willing to work together with other countries including Germany and Ireland in building a better future for the world.

During their separate meetings with Qiangba Puncog in Ireland, both leaders of the lower house and upper house of the Irish parliament expressed their appreciation of the achievements China has made in the field of human rights.

Sean O'Fearghail, chair of the lower house of the Irish parliament, said that China has made a huge contribution to the progress of mankind by lifting hundreds of millions of its people out of poverty over the last few decades.

Denis O'Donovan, chair of the Irish senate, described the progress made by China in the human rights field as encouraging.

In Germany, Ina Lepel, director general for Asia and the Pacific of the Federal Foreign Office, said after meeting with the Chinese delegation that he shared the Chinese view that different countries should strengthen exchanges and learn from each other over human rights issues.

CSHRS is a national academic organization in the field of human rights in China.

Xinhua