June 16, 2017 -- The International Seminar on Human Rights and Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Wednesday afternoon.

Lu Guangjin, Secretary-General of China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS), delivered a speech entitled "The Significance of Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind to Human Rights" at the seminar.

“In January, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at UN headquarters in Geneva, talking in depth about the concept of a community of shared future for mankind. In the past months, this concept has won applauds and warm responses from the international community and has been written in many UN documents, exerting a great international influence,” said Lu.

He noted that it is the best period in history for human rights protection. However, it is undeniable that the development of human society and human rights protection are facing various threats and challenges like conflicts and wars, extremism as well as terrorism.

Millions of people are suffering from pains and have to escape their homelands. Anti-globalization is helping nationalism and populism arise again. The unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable development and environment pollution remain prominent. As a result, we have difficulty in implementing the Paris Accord.

Lu pointed out that the Chinese wisdom of building a community of shared future for mankind was put forward to tackle these issues and protect global human rights.

We should look at human rights from both the historical and development perspectives. There will be no end in pursuing human rights, said Lu.

"This concept pays attention to the whole mankind rather than the individuals, stressing equality for each country and its people to participate in global governance," Lu explained.

Lu concluded that the Chinese approach emphasizes the comprehensive, common, inclusive and sustainable development of human rights.

China, as the initiator, will steadfastly promote and practice this approach. The Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping represents a new approach with Chinese wisdom to realize common prosperity. It is a great practice carried out to build a community of shared future for mankind. At present, the Initiative is being turned to action, making our vision into reality with fruitful achievements.

Lu urged that the international society should work together to address challenges in this changing era. “As President Xi said, building a community of shared future for mankind is a beautiful goal which needs joint efforts of generations,” said Lu.

By: Ma Yangyang