Countries should unite in their pursuit of human rights

The 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution titled "The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights" on July 14. In his introductory statement on the draft, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese mission to the UN in Geneva, stressed that development and human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

China has long upheld the basic human rights to existence and development. The Communist Party of China has always been dedicated to upholding, defending and expanding human rights, as well as enhancing a sense of fulfillment, security and happiness among its citizens.

China's development experiences and the road to modest prosperity have made the framework supporting human rights more resilient. The path to universal moderate prosperity in China is the expansion and modernization of global human rights, which encompasses all necessary actions to safeguard and advance the rights of each individual.

Human rights development has been a basic priority under the CPC's leadership. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China empowers all State entities to uphold and safeguard it. The socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics has been continuously fostered.

A society that enjoys moderate levels of prosperity prioritizes ensuring that everyone has access to enough food, clothing and other necessities for survival while also taking additional measures to satisfy the population's expanding material and cultural requirements. There has been huge success in raising living conditions and securing fundamental requirements across China, including ending absolute poverty.

The values of equality before the law and nondiscrimination are upheld, ensuring that all citizens are entitled to respect and equal rights regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, occupation, date of birth, religion, education or wealth. China is committed to defending the fundamental rights of disadvantaged communities.

Some of the characteristics of the development path for the integration of all ethnic groups in China under the leadership of the CPC include fairness, unity and tranquillity among all ethnic groups, the participation of all ethnic groups, the integration of economic and social development, and the equal protection of the linguistic and cultural rights of all ethnic groups. In order to advance all essential freedoms and human rights in every way, social, cultural, religious and economic liberty and democratic rights as well as other rights are protected.

The philosophy of CPC leadership is grounded in people's wellbeing, mutual respect, openness and unity in the development of civilizations to offer chances to foster the advancement of human rights along with the common values and aspirations shared by all human communities. The philosophy has been endowed with the principles of fairness, comprehensiveness and diversity.

Globally, the government of China upholds and adheres to the idea of shared prosperity and achieving prosperity for the human community. China has created a system that guarantees equality, norms and rights, allowing everyone to take part in, contribute to and benefit from progress.

The ancient Silk Road paved the way for the exchange of cultures and the cross-cultural exchanges of Chinese and other civilizations by serving as a conduit for the transmission of ideas, beliefs, languages, customs and traditions from one civilization to another. The long and successful history of this practice led to a shared, peaceful heritage through the trade of goods.

Nowadays, the 10-year-old, China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative marks the achievement of an important milestone in uniting and diversifying civilizations. The Global Development Initiative, proposed by China in September 2021, has become a drive for realizing the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across the board and advancing human rights.

China has undergone significant modern-day development and embarked on a path of national rejuvenation. Each civilization represents the shared ideals and aspirations of humanity as they have evolved over time. Ideas such as "harmony is most valuable" and "seek harmony in diversity" have long been championed by Chinese civilization, adding values to humanity.

China has opened up a wide range of prospects for improved mutual communication and cooperation among all sides. As the world heard the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping say, "Development is the absolute principle." Development is regarded as a fundamental start to solving a number of human problems.

Instead of painting fantasies on human rights, other countries of the world, especially those of advanced economies, should observe basic rights, coming together to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and pursuing practical, people-centered approaches to high-quality, inclusive and equitable development of all groups.

The author is executive director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future in Islamabad. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.