Xi’s Congratulatory Letter to Symposium on UN Declaration on theRight to Development

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations’Declaration on the Right to Development, representatives from various countries have gathered in Beijing to attend the “Sharing the Development: Create More Benefits for People of All Countries” symposium. The symposium is of great significance to the promotion of international human rights cooperation, and the improvement of the international human rights cause and human rights development across the globe. On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, and in my own name, I extend warm congratulations to the symposium.

Development is an eternal theme for the human race. The UN declaration affirms that the right to development is an inalienable human right. As the world’s largest developing country of over 1.3 billion people, China regards development as the key to solving all problems and the primary task for the Communist Party of China in governing and rejuvenating the country. China insists on a combination of the principle of human rights’ universality and the nation’s actual conditions, and insists that the rights to live and development are primary basic human rights. For years China has put the people first during its development, increasing their benefits, ensuring the people are their own masters and supporting development in an all-round way. These are both the starting points and the goals of development. China has effectively safeguarded the people’s right to development and carved out a human rights development path with Chinese characteristics. China has actively participated in global governance and made great efforts to promote inclusive development, striving to create conditions and opportunities for all countries, especially developing countries, so that they may share the fruits of development.
 
Currently, as the Chinese people try hard to realize the “two centenary goals” and the Chinese dream of rejuvenation, they will live happier lives and have their rights better safeguarded. China will continue to make greater contribution to human development and progress.
 
Thirty years ago, with efforts from various countries including China, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development, which has played an important role in promoting human society development. China hopes the international society, with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a new starting point, will strive to realize common development as it navigates a “fair, open, comprehensive and innovative” path. I hope all guests have the opportunity to engage in deep discussions and exchange insights, so as to contribute wisdom and strength to help people of all countries fully enjoy human rights.
 
I wish the symposium much success.
 

Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China
 
Dec. 4, 2016, Beijing