Ep.1: Fight to Defend Rights to Life and Health
In 2020, COVID-19 has taken the world by surprise. The prevention and control of the pandemic has become a common subject in the political and social lives of every country in the world. During this pandemic, issues beyond the scope of public hygiene such as state governance diplomacy and values have also been discussed. Among them, the human rights issue has drawn wide attention. Today, we are very honored to have Mr. Li Junru Vice President of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Former Vice President of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. He'll share his insights on human rights and how to defend the rights to life and health amid COVID-19.
Ep.2: China’s Experience in Safeguarding the Rights to Life and Health in Pandemic Prevention and Control
We are honored to have Mr. Liu Huawen, Executive Director of the Human Rights Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He will share China’s experience in safeguarding the rights to life and health in the prevention and control of the pandemic.
Ep.3: Promoting Dialogue and Cooperation,China Sets Example for Pandemic Prevention and Control
In today's program, we are honored to have Ms Wu Wenyang, Lecturer at the Institution for Human Rights of the China University of Political Science and Law. She will share her thoughts on international communication and collaboration in the field of human rights amid COVID-19.
Ep.4: Understanding the Role of Information Technology in Human Rights Protection during Pandemic Prevention and Control
The coronavirus pandemic has raged across the world and become a public health emergency that has drawn worldwide attention. Now, we are still facing great difficulties and challenges in containing the virus. But, compared to the outbreak of SARS 17 years ago, information technology such as artificial intelligence and big data has emerged as a powerful weapon to fight the virus. Today, we are pleased to have Mr. Xu Yao, associate research fellow at the Center for Human Rights Studies, Nankai University. He will share his thoughts on the role of information technology in human rights protection during the fight against the pandemic.
Ep.5: Artists Salute to Frontline Heroes in the Fight against COVID-19
In 2020, the coronavirus has caught us off guard. Faced with this raging epidemic, China took decisive measures to fight against COVID-19. The fight has tugged at the heartstrings of calligraphers and painters across China. In Shanxi, three artists have created themed works, translating their talents into a powerful cultural weapon to contribute to the epidemic prevention and control.
Ep.6: Human Rights Disaster Caused by the U.S. Government’s Improper Handling of COVID-19
The United States has always thought itself the best defender of human rights, claiming that "All men are created equal" and dictating to other countries. However, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in the United States has been getting worse with social conflicts intensifying. On top of that, the U.S. government has been constantly undermining international cooperation in fight against COVID-19. The pandemic has lifted its hypocritical veil. Its handling of COVID-19 has exposed the hypocrisy of the "American equality" to the rest of the world. Today, we are pleased to have Mr. Hao Yaming from the Center for Human Rights Studies at Nankai University. He will share his thoughts about the so-called "American human rights".
Ep.7: Lessons from the Budayeva and Others vs Russia Case
The rights to life and health have always been considered as basic human rights in both theory and practice. In this battle against COVID-19, our country has prioritized people's rights to life and health and protected basic individual rights so as to ensure that people's basic human rights are respected and safeguarded. Today, we are pleased to have Professor Tang Yingxia from the Center for Human Rights Studies at Nankai University. She will share with us her thoughts on the state's obligation to safeguard the right to life during the pandemic.
Ep.8: Being a Guardian for the Safety and Health of Community Residents
Urban and rural communities are places where people live and work. They serve as the first "fortresses" for COVID-19 prevention and control. By guarding communities against the epidemic, we can effectively contain its spread to protect the lives and health of the people. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, 4 million urban and rural community workers have fought together against the epidemic, defying the risks. In particular, Party members and officials at the community level have been taking the lead, forming a powerful barrier against COVID-19 and demonstrating the mighty power of the people to win the war against the epidemic. Today, we are pleased to invite Ms. Li Meihong, secretary of the Party Committee and director of the Residents Committee of Bajiao Zhongli Community, Bajiao Street, Shijingshan District, Beijing, to join us in the discussion about how to build a strong community defense line to prevent and control the epidemic.
Ep.9: Reflections on Global Public Health Governance amid COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, governments across the world attach high importance to pandemic prevention and control and adopt more and more effective measures. Meanwhile, there have been growing calls for responding to the pandemic through global governance. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human society is so enormous that it urges people to reflect on how to respond to the global public health crisis in a timely and effective manner. Today, we are pleased to have Professor Qian Jinyu, executive deputy director of the Center for Human Rights Studies at the Northwest University of Political Science and Law. He will join us to analyze the lessons on global public health governance we can draw from this pandemic.
Ep.10: Stabilizing Employment in Response to the Impact of the Pandemic
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has had to press the "pause" button on its economy in order to fight the epidemic and protect people's rights to life and health. Work, production, and commercial activities were suspended for a period of time, causing some problems related to the individual rights and interests of employers and employees. Today, we are pleased to invite Ms. Lu Haina, associate professor at the Law School and executive director of the Center for Human Rights Research at Renmin University of China to join us in a discussion about how to protect the right to employment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ep.11: A Trip Back Home Turned into A Journey to Fight COVID-19
Yang Chengchen is a reporter with China News Service. He went back to his hometown in Wuhan to visit his family on January 21, 2020 and joined the frontline reporting team for the COVID-19 epidemic just the next day. During the 86-day stay in Wuhan, he did a series of timely, objective, factual and professional firsthand reports based on interviews carried out in the epicenter including the Huanan Seafood Market, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital and Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Yang was awarded the honorary title of “National Role Model in Fighting the COVID-19 Epidemic” on September 8, 2020.
Ep.12: China’s Excellent Performance in the Tough Test of COVID-19
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, our academy has attached great importance to the publicity and research work related to the pandemic prevention and control and has started a number of research projects. Human rights is one of the key topics. Today we are glad to have Mr. Yang Xin, associate fellow at the Institute of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics of Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences.
Ep.13: Father and Son Soldiers on the Wuhan Battlefield in the Fight against COVID-19
A meeting commending role models in China’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic was held in Beijing on September 8, 2020, after more than eight months’ battle. The event served as a tribute to heroes and outstanding individuals and was an opportunity to learn lessons and draw inspiration from past experiences. At this meeting, which attracted international attention, General Secretary Xi Jinping expounded on the great anti-epidemic spirit for the first time.
At the meeting, Zhong Nanshan was awarded the Medal of the Republic, and Zhang Boli and others were awarded the national honorary title of “the People’s Hero.”There was also a special guest at the meeting. He was Zhang Lei, son of Zhang Boliand the team leader of the 12th medical assistance team sent to Wuhan from Tianjin. The two men have been praised by the media as the father and son soldiers on the battlefield of Wuhan.
Ep.14: Safeguarding Human Rights is the Unwavering Mission of the Communist Party of China
"The people's happiness is the objective of all our efforts". General Secretary Xi Jinping's firm statement illuminates the aim and purpose of all the endeavors of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government. Marking the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding, the year 2021 sees the commencement of a new journey. In our first episode of the new year, we are honored to have Ms Zhang Xiaoling, former deputy director of the Politics and Law Department at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. She will talk about some of China's great achievements in human rights under the leadership of the CPC.
Ep.15: Making Vaccines An Affordable Global Public Good
The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a huge test for the whole world, but also highlights different countries’ approaches to handling the virus and their relentless efforts to protect human rights. Amid the pandemic, many people began to review “human rights” and rethink what human rights protection aims for? What can we do to protect human rights in the real sense? Today, we are honored to invite Mr. Yang Bochao from the Institute for Human Rights Studies at the China University of Political Science and Law. He will share his thoughts on human rights protection in the context of the pandemic.
Ep.16: China in the Eyes of Italian Father and Son
"I am Renato Pegoraro. I am an Italian, and I own a restaurant in Tianjin. My son and I are both Italians, and we have been living in China for over 15 years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our restaurant was closed for more than 2 months. After the pandemic was under control efficiently in China, my restaurant has been reopened, and I feel relieved and safe. My restaurant is located in the Italian Style Town. Everyday I walk past here and check if I am safe. When customer enter into my restaurant, there is a check point that we can take their temperature, sanitize their hands."
Ep.17: Hugging on Your Triumphant Return
Guan Mucun is vice chairperson of the Chinese Musicians Association and chairperson of the Tianjin Musicians Association. During the pandemic, Guan and many other artists have been cheering people fighting the battle against COVID-19 with their paintbrushes and singing voices. Guan has performed the song “Hugging on Your Triumphant Return” (lyrics by Wang Heping, composed by Wang Weizhou), articulating one’s innermost feelings. The song sings the praises of the frontline heroes, expresses the joy of their triumphant return, and hails their courage to brave risks and challenges to respond to the call of the new era. The well-made MV features touching scenes of Party members, officials, and ordinary people who are determined to achieve their goals, working hard in high spirits to speed up the resumption of work and production after undergoing the trial of the epidemic.
Ep.18: A Girl Growing up in the Fight Against COVID-19
"I am Zhang Shuo, a 28-year-old nurse. Like everyone, my life changed in 2020. On the Lunar New Year’s Eve of 2020, I returned to Tianjin early in the morning from Shandong, my hometown, and became a memberof Tianjin’s first medical team to assist Hubei Province, where COVID-19 first struck.What followed was 52 of the most unforgettable days of my life.“Isolated” in protective clothing for a long time, I was often soaked insweat and felt short of breath and dizzy. However, I overcame it.Wuhan is a heroic city and it is my honor to fight COVID-19 together with the people of Wuhan."
Ep.19: Zhang Yonghe: People of the World Unite to Fight the Pandemic
COVID-19 is the gravest global pandemic in the past 100 years. Every country responded in its own way to the sudden and unexpected outbreak. In the hour of dire need, the Chinese government has stood together with its people. As the pandemic still rages across the globe, everyone should join forces and present a global front against it. Today, we are honored to have Professor Zhang Yonghe, executive dean of the Human Rights Research Institute of the Southwest University of Political Science & Law (SWUPL). He will be sharing his thoughts on human rights against the background of COVID-19.
Ep. 20: In 2020, We Stayed in China
PhD candidate at the Southwest University of Political Science& Law
Fan Lingfang(Vietnam):Master candidate at the Southwest University of Political Science& Law
Ge Anqing(Myanmar): Undergraduate at the Southwest University of Political Science& Law
Ep.21: Newsmen Forever on the Move
On February 13, 2020,Xie Zhiqiang, a photojournalist with Chongqing Daily, went to Wuhan and began his 62-day on-site photography at the front line of the fight against the epidemic. He won the honorary title of “National Role Model in Fighting the COVID-19 Epidemic” in September 2020. Today, we are honored to have Mr. Xie with us. He will be sharing his experience of working at the front line in Wuhan, as well as his personal stories over the past year since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Ep.22: People’s Health, State Obligation, and Human Dignity
China has put people’s health and safety first in its fight against the COVID-19 epidemic since its outbreak and has also contributed to the global anti-virus efforts, sharing its experience in epidemic prevention and control with other countries. This fully demonstrates China’s ethos, strength, and sense of responsibility. How should we understand the human rights practices against the background of the epidemic fight? Today, we are honored to have Professor Zhou Li, head of the Research Management Department of the Human Rights Institute of the Southwest University of Political Science & Law. He will be sharing his opinions on human rights amid COVID-19.
Ep.23: Love: Dedication and Power
Wang Hualun is a driver with the Chongqing Quancheng Taxi Co., Ltd., and the team leader of Chongqing’s “Lei Feng Taxi” Passenger Service Volunteer Team. Wang Hualun was awarded the honorary title of “Role Modelof Chongqing City in Fighting the COVID-19 Epidemic” in September 2020.
Ep.24: Vlog: China’s anti-epidemic stories in the lens of a news anchor
When the whole nation started to fight the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic,nearly every city was mired in anxiety and depression. That was when Looking Out For 2020: The Anchorman Vlog came out. The vlogger, Zhao Di, used a macro-lens camera to record how Nanjing fought the epidemic,uploading a vlog entry every day, focusing on ordinary people’s faith in and contribution to China’s anti-epidemic efforts.
Ep.25: Born in China amid COVID-19
"My name is Elena. I am one year old today! My father is from Ghana,and my mother is from Malaysia. So I am a beautiful baby of mixed race. Dad says I am special because I was born in China during its fight against the epidemic."
Ep.26: Delivery For Saving Lives
At the outset of the epidemic, everyone was afraid as we faced a yet unknown virus. But there was one man who stood up. He kept fighting all by himself and built a “security line of love” for the medics. The Boatman of Life tells the story of an ordinary yet great man Wang Yong.
Ep.27: Life In 60 Seconds
In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak,we sang praises of the angels in white who braved the risks,the police officers working hard at the frontline,and the outstanding volunteer squads. What was life like for ordinary people under the threat of the pandemic? During the pandemic,Wan Daming, a documentary director of MEDOC created a VR documentary titled “One More Minute” jointly with other like-minded filmmakers. Content producers from across the country recorded the fight against the pandemic in their localities at 10:00 am on February 20, 2020.
Ep.28: Caring for Women, Going with Her
In 2020,COVID-19 pulled at the heartstrings of 1.4 billion people. As everyone else turned their attention to the collection of anti-epidemic materials, a 25-year-old woman turned her eyes to the needs of the women on the frontline. This woman is Liang Yu. During the epidemic, Liang coordinated the donation of sanitary products that met the needs of a total of 85,000 medical workers on the frontline.
Ep.29: The Power of Role Model In Epidemic Fight
After the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, the number of infections grew rapidly, and the complicated situation of the epidemic dealt a blow to the people. Micro，small and medium-sized enterprises have suffered serious economic losses. Zhang Meng, an entrepreneur, time management researcher and best-selling author, took the initiative to lead young entrepreneurs in donating money and materials to support Wuhan. Following calls from the government, she managed to help soothe the anxiety of people during the epidemic through online classes; she also inspired entrepreneurship in young people by teaching them how to transform and upgrade themselves. Her live streaming has reached as many as 41.27 million viewers.
Ep.30: Ironclad Friendship: Pakistani Student Stays in China to Fight COVID-19
"I am Li Ka from Pakistan. I have been living and studying in Nanjing for the past seven years. I am a postgraduate student at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, majoring in international trade from the College of Economics and Management. My hometown is Quetta in the province of Balochistan. I have not been back home for about two years because of the current situation of the pandemic."
Ep.31: The power of charity in fight against COVID-19
Charitable organizations have played an instrumental role in the fight against COVID-19 in soliciting supplies, screening and providing useful information, and connecting people who need help with appropriate local authorities. Ding Peng, director of Wuhan East-Lake Institute for Social Advancement (EISA) and a doctoral candidate of the School of Law at Wuhan University, has been involved in public welfare services for many years, and he has witnessed and personally engaged in the work of charitable organizations during the epidemic.
Ep.32: Trans-Provincial Elderly Services Support Amid COVID-19
At the critical moment when the whole nation was fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, there was a group quite likely to be neglected - the elderly. Back then, the nursing institutions for the elderly in Wuhan were going through an incredibly difficult time in epidemic prevention and control. Ensuring the health and safety of the aged had become a very arduous task. The Ministry of Civil Affairs initiated a campaign of trans-regional support for Wuhan’s senior care services. The Civil Affairs Bureau of Nanjing was the first to respond. It formed an elderly services support team of 13 hand-picked staff members from the Mount Zutang Social Welfare Home, which set out to Wuhan along with a support team from Jiangsu Province. After 33 days, they successfully fulfilled the first trans-provincial elderly services support task in the history of civil affairs in the People’s Republic of China.
Ep.33: Caring For Specific Groups Amid COVID-19
The COVID-19 epidemic suddenly broke out in Wuhan at the beginning of 2020. To reduce the number of infections, the Wuhan government locked down the whole city in no time, posing an unprecedented challenge for specific groups whose health and safety concerns needed to be addressed. What did the Chinese government do in this regard? And what was the efficacy of related measures? Zhang Wanhong, executive dean of the Institute of Human Rights at Wuhan University and vice chairman of the Hubei Disabled Persons’ Federation, has always kept a watchful eye on the protection of the rights of specific groups during the epidemic.
Ep.34: “COVID-19 Discrimination” A Blunt Affront To Human Rights
China’s strong anti-epidemic measures have not only protected the health and safety of the Chinese people but also contributed to global public health since the virus took the world by surprise. People in different countries have offered selfless assistance and expressed their sympathy for the Chinese people in a variety of ways. Nevertheless, there have been some insulting and discriminatory comments, and even violence targeting China and Chinese communities in some countries. Some wielded terms like “Wuhan virus” and “China virus.” In view of that, Wang Xigen, dean of Law School and head of the Institute for Human Rights Law at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, conducted research and analysis from the perspective of law.
Ep.35: Bridging the Gap of Vaccine Distribution:Scheming or Sincerity
President Xi Jinping attended the Global Health Summit via video link from Beijing on the evening of May 21, 2021, delivering an important speech entitled “Build a Global Community of Health for All.” In continuous support of the joint efforts in combating the pandemic across the world, China will support Chinese vaccine companies to transfer vaccine-related technologies to other developing countries and to carry out cooperative production with them, while encouraging the exemption of intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines. Alongside this, the US government made a surprising and high-profile decision to support waiving patent protections for COVID-19 vaccine technology. There is no denying that vaccines are currently a major topic of debate. So, how can we help developing countries fight against the pandemic? The transfer of our vaccine-related technology is apparently the key. Yi Ling, a professor and master supervisor at the Law School of Central South University, has carried out in-depth research into the intellectual property rights of vaccines in various countries.
Ep.36: Joint and Regularized Epidemic Prevention and Control
In January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in China. It first hit Wuhan and many other places in Hubei Province. After the outbreak, the CPC Central Committee attached great importance to it and acted immediately to enhance centralized and unified leadership in all aspects of the anti-epidemic work. In order to contain the virus, the Chinese government launched the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism involving multiple ministries and commissions collaborating synergistically to inhibit the spread of virus. As the chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wu Zunyou has taken part in the press conferences held by the State Council on the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism many times since the outbreak of the pandemic. He made judgements at critical points and explained the latest anti-virus policies and related information to the general public in plain language to facilitate consensus building.
Editor's Note: Through interviews with human rights and public health scholars, frontline medical workers and personnel of related departments, this program shares China’s stories of battling COVID-19 to demonstrate that the Chinese government has always put peoples’ lives and health first and stuck to the people-centered human rights philosophy.
