GENEVA, Sept. 11, 2019 -- A senior Chinese diplomat on Tuesday said here that China and the like-minded countries stand ready to work with other parties to uphold multilateralism and advocate dialogue and cooperation.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the group of Like Minded Countries, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to UN at Geneva, said during the on-going 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council that given growing uncertainty and instability in the world, "multilateralism is more imperative than ever before".

Chen hoped the UN rights body would uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and work consistently in an impartial, objective, constructive and non-selective manner, as well as to oppose the politicization of human rights agenda and double standards.

China and the like-minded countries also expected the UN rights body to promote dialogue and cooperation among various parties and oppose naming and shaming and public exertion of pressure, the Chinese diplomat said.

He added that the UN rights body should also increase investment in economic, social, cultural rights and the right to development, highlight the role of development in promoting and protecting human rights, and make greater efforts to tackle racism, racial discrimination and hate speech.

Chen told the session that the countries also hope the UN rights body to respect the development path independently chosen by a country, recognize the progress and efforts of states in the field of human rights, and share good practices in human rights among states.

China will continue to support UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and her office "in their work in accordance with their mandate, with a view to achieving the healthy development of the international human rights cause", Chen said.