Congratulatory Message from President Xi Jinping to the "South-South Human Rights Forum"

Today, as delegates from different parts of the world gather in Beijing for the first "South-South Human Rights Forum" to discuss the promotion of human rights in developing countries and the world, I wish to extend warm congratulations on the convening of this forum.

It is the lofty ideal of mankind that everyone enjoys human rights to the full. Since modern times, people in the developing world have fought long and hard for national liberation and independence, for freedom and equality, for dignity and happiness, and for peace and development. By doing so, they have also contributed significantly to the progress of human rights in the world.

Following a people-centered development philosophy, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have all along placed people's interests above all else, and worked hard to meet people's desire for a better life and improve respect for and protection of the fundamental rights of the Chinese people. The 19th CPC National Congress convened not long ago outlined an ambitious blueprint for China's development, which will give a strong boost to human rights development in China and make new and even greater contribution to the progress of mankind.

The development of human rights worldwide cannot be achieved without the joint efforts of developing countries, which account for more than 80% of the world's population. In the meantime, human rights must and can only be promoted in light of specific national conditions and people's needs. Developing countries should uphold both the universality and particularity of human rights and steadily raise the level of human rights protection. It is important for the international community to respect and reflect the will of the people in developing countries in the spirit of justice, fairness, openness and inclusiveness. The Chinese people would like to work in concert with people in other developing countries and beyond to advance development through cooperation, promote human rights through development, and build a community with a shared future for human beings.

The theme of this forum "Building a Community with a Shared Future for Human Beings: New Opportunity for South-South Human Rights Development" is highly relevant as it reflects the trend of the world toward greater development. I hope you will engage in in-depth discussions and contribute your insights on how to help people in developing countries enjoy human rights more fully and to achieve common prosperity and development for mankind.

I wish the forum a complete success.

Xi Jinping
President
The People's Republic of China
7 December 2017