All countries should practice true multilateralism, contribute to the new vision of security, put development front and center on their international agenda, promote the right to development, and remove development barriers, a senior Chinese diplomat has said.

 

Wang Chao, president of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and president of the United Nations Association of China, made the comment on Oct. 3 when addressing a general debate for the 51st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council via video link.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

The per capita disposable income of rural residents in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has maintained double-digit growth for 19 years, local authorities said on Oct. 7.

 

In 2021, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in Tibet reached 16,935 yuan (about 2,385 U.S. dollars), 2.97 times the income recorded in 2012, according to Du Jie, director of the regional department of agriculture and rural affairs, at a press conference. The income growth rate has been the highest nationwide for seven consecutive years.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

Residents in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region have seen their living conditions significantly improved over the past decade, as the region has spent heavily on enhancing local housing conditions in both urban and rural areas.

 

In 2021, the per capita residential building area of Tibet’s urban residents reached 45.62 square meters, 9.48 square meters more than that in 2012, Jiang Yuexia, deputy head of the regional housing and urban-rural development department, told a press conference held Oct. 9.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

China’s National Grain Security Publicity Week kicked off online on Oct. 10 and will run through World Food Day, which falls on Oct. 16, according to the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

 

Events publicizing China’s achievements in safeguarding national food security and the country’s active participation in international cooperation will be held during the week.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

Southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region has poured 12.7 billion yuan (about $1.8 billion) on ecological protection over the past decade, authorities said.

 

In 2021, the forest coverage rate in Tibet reached 12.31 percent, and the comprehensive vegetation coverage of grassland grew to 47.14 percent, Shui Yanping, deputy head of the regional department of ecology and environment, told a press conference on Oct. 10.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

The UN General Assembly on Oct. 11 elected 14 states into the Human Rights Council to succeed outgoing members.

 

Through secret ballot, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan (for Africa); Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Vietnam (for the Asia-Pacific); Georgia, Romania (for Eastern Europe); Chile, Costa Rica (for Latin America and the Caribbean); Belgium, Germany (for Western Europe and other states), were elected for a three-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2023.

 

Of the 14 states, Susan and Germany were elected for a consecutive second term.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

The Communist Party of China Central Committee has solicited opinions and suggestions from non-CPC personages on the draft report to the Party’s 20th National Congress, an important way to practice socialist consultative democracy and build up broad consensus before decisions about major issues are made.

 

A symposium, presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, was held on Aug. 31 to make preparations for the 20th CPC National Congress, according to a statement released on Oct. 13.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

A protection plan released by the central government on Oct. 18 said that China will have protected 55 percent of its wetlands and added 20 wetlands of international importance and 50 wetlands of national importance by 2025.

 

According to the plan issued by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources, the country will carry out restoration projects on 30 wetlands.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

A Chinese envoy on Oct. 19 said there’s no need for condescending remarks or human rights’ politicization. His statement was agreed upon by developing countries.

 

“Respecting and protecting human rights is the unremitting pursuit of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and the Chinese people,” Dai Bing, charge d’affaires at the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

The protection of women, especially for those who are poor, elderly or disabled, is expected to be strengthened across China, a senior legislator told a news conference on Oct. 24.

 

A draft revision to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women will be further reviewed during an upcoming session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, which is set to convene from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

Three central government departments have launched a special regulatory campaign against art training institutions after recent allegations of sexual harassment committed by the founder of a well-known art institution caught attention online.

 

Jointly run by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, the campaign will strictly address any sexual assault and harassment against students by people working at the institutions, according to a release by the Ministry of Education on Oct. 26.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

China’s top legislature reviewed a draft law on building accessible facilities on Oct. 27, with the aim to better meet the needs of the aging population, disabled people, pregnant women and children. Observers said it’s an important move to push forward China’s human rights protection.

 

The draft law was submitted to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, for the first review on Oct. 27.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

Disease monitoring of livestock and poultry will be strengthened, supported by increased vaccine research, to prevent public health risks across China, according to a draft law being reviewed among legislators.

 

The draft amendment to the Animal Husbandry Law was submitted to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislative body, on Oct. 27 for second review. It had its first reading in October last year.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

Chinese lawmakers are considering incorporating whole-process people’s democracy into the Legislation Law.

 

The draft amendment to the law was submitted to the ongoing session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for review on Oct. 27.

 

The people-centered approach should be taken during the legislation, with whole-process people’s democracy upheld and developed during the process, according to the draft.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

China has been taking the global lead in terms of environmental governance speed and has set an example of sustainable development and green investment for the world, said a former senior United Nations official on Oct. 28.

 

Erik Solheim, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), told China Global Television Network (CGTN) in an exclusive online interview that China’s remarkable achievements in ecological environment promotion have set a good example for the world and that the country has also been trying to benefit the global environment through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a grand proposal for common development.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

Procuratorates nationwide have been continuously working to improve judicial protection for minors, to rescue juveniles involved in crimes and to strictly punish those who commit crimes against minors, according to a recent report.

 

The procuratorates are working to improve the protection of minors by combining professional and social forces, Zhang Jun, procurator-general of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, said while delivering the report to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, for deliberation on Oct. 28.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

Chinese lawmakers have voted to adopt a revised law to better protect women’s rights and interests in areas such as education, employment, property distribution and personal rights.

 

The newly revised Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, set to take effect in 2023, passed on Oct. 30 at the closing meeting of a session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

Rural household waste should be reduced at the source and enterprises that damage the environment must not expand to the countryside, China’s top legislature said in a report concerning the promotion of rural vitalization.

 

The report was reviewed by lawmakers at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislative body, which closed on Oct. 30.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

Whole-process people’s democracy has been highlighted in a draft law amendment, so as to ensure public opinions are heard in every step of legislative affairs. The draft revision to the Legislation Law was submitted to a just-concluded session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, for its first review.

 

“A people-centered approach, with whole-process people’s democracy, must be upheld and implemented in legislative activities, as it will play a big role in helping us learn new public demands and understand their ideas,” said Shen Chunyao, director of the NPC Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission. He made the remark when explaining the draft amendment to lawmakers during the session, which closed on Oct. 30.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

 

Governments at all levels are set to actively respond to the State-level policy on promoting the employment of people with disabilities, which aims to shape a more considerate social environment for disabled people and further China’s protection of human rights.

 

An action plan released by the government of Anhui on Nov. 1 said the province will help 55,500 people with disabilities find jobs in the next three years.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

China started to implement new regulations on Nov. 1 to promote self-employed businesses with supportive policies.

 

The updated regulations, which aims to encourage the development of such businesses and boost their confidence and resilience, were rolled out by China’s State Council last month.

 

Self-employed businesses have already become an important part of China’s market economy, officials said at a press conference on Nov. 1.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

Eighteen central departments jointly published a guideline on Nov. 3 to ensure government bodies earnestly fulfill their duties in environmental protection.

 

The guideline was made public after it was approved by the Central Committee for Deepening Overall Reform, according to a media release from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

China’s efforts in wetlands protection were hailed by the participants of the ongoing 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and participants in the meeting expressed their confidence in wetlands protection and international cooperation upon hearing the speech delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony in Wuhan, Hubei province.

 

At the opening of the meeting, known as COP14, on Nov. 5, Xi said via video that it is important to build global consensus on prizing wetlands, show respect for nature, minimize disruption and damage to them caused by human activity, and protect their ecological security in order to leave the beautiful wetlands to future generations.

 

From: CHINA DAILY/XINHUA

 

 

A total of 91 journalists from four state-owned and 73 local-level news organizations across China received 4.01 million yuan ($554,700) in assistance, the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) said on Nov. 6.

 

It is a responsibility to protect the rights and interests of journalists, said the ACJA.

 

Caring for journalists with special difficulties is an important entry point for the protection of their rights and interests. 

 

From: CGTN

 

 

Chinese people have greatly benefited from the country’s rapid growth of digital technology over the past few years, witnessing a steadily improved legal framework for cyberspace and stronger cybersecurity protection, a white paper said.

 

The paper, entitled “Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, was issued by China’s State Council Information Office on Nov. 7 and reported that China has developed the internet extensively with the aim of benefiting the people.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

A program supporting mothers of young patients suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was launched amid the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Nov. 7.

 

The program focuses on efforts supporting those beyond the patients and services along the process of screening, diagnosing and treatment and care.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

The China Society for Human Rights Studies held a seminar on studying and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Nov. 8.

 

Padma Choling, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and president of the human rights organization, addressed the event that was attended online and offline by nearly 100 experts and scholars.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a written speech at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security, which was held on Nov. 12 in Beijing.

 

In his speech, Xi noted that food security is fundamental to human survival. Half a century ago, hybrid rice was first successfully developed and planted widely in China. Thanks to this technology, China has managed to feed nearly 20 percent of the world’s population with less than 9 percent of the world’s arable land, and become the largest food producer and the third largest food exporter in the world.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

China is rolling out multiple measures as part of efforts to help 11.58 million graduates streaming out of colleges to enter the workforce or start their own businesses in 2023.

 

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security jointly held an online video conference on Nov. 15 to further improve employment promotion policies and make arrangements for helping graduates find jobs or start businesses next year.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

Greater effort must be paid when mediating labor disputes to better protect the rights of employees and maintain social stability, according to a guideline released by Chinese authorities.

 

The guideline was issued by nine departments, including the Supreme People’s Court, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, on Nov. 16.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

China on Nov. 16 submitted a position paper on strengthening the ethical governance of artificial intelligence (AI) to the 2022 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons held in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Li Song, China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs, told the meeting that China finds it important to enhance the understanding of all countries on AI ethics and ensure that AI is safe, reliable, controllable and capable of better empowering global sustainable development and enhancing the common well-being of all mankind. 

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

China will strive to eliminate heavy air pollution events in 70 percent of its major cities by 2025, according to an action plan unveiled on Nov. 17.

 

Jointly issued by 15 central government bodies, including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Development and Reform Commission, the plan vowed to reduce the country’s average annual proportion of days with heavy air pollution to less than 1 percent.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

The Beijing Forum 2022 opened on Nov. 18 in Beijing with the theme of “Creating a future for human civilization: Trust, Dialogue and Cooperation.”

 

Leaders and scholars from around the world are gathering online and on-site this year to explore the subject of forming an intertwined community of shared destiny through mutual trust, dialogue and close cooperation.Pressing issues, including climate change, global security, and global population patterns, are also on the agenda.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

A Chinese envoy on Oct. 19 made a joint statement at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, on behalf of 25 countries, calling for the immediate and complete lifting of unilateral coercive measures.

 

The world is facing interlocking global challenges with developing countries disproportionately affected. A true, effective and functional multilateral system based on international solidarity, unity and cooperation is urgently needed more than ever, said Dai Bing, the charge d’affaires at the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

 

From: Xinhua

 

 

China officially announced the implementation of a new private pension plan on Nov. 25, a supplement to the nation’s social security system.

 

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Nov. 25 that the plan will first be carried out in 36 cities and regions, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

 

From: China Daily

 

 

The Asian Forum on human rights organized by the Renmin University of China was opened on Nov. 26. Experts from over 20 Asian countries and regions as well as representatives from the UN have exchanged experiences in environmental governance and protection via video link.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

China will continue actions on protecting the environment and biodiversity, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) at a regular press conference on Nov. 28.

 

Liu Youbin, spokesperson for the MEE, introduced a newly-published document of opinions on tackling and controlling air pollution which were jointly issued by the MEE and other 14 departments. The opinions includes three action plans on air pollution, ozone pollution and diesel truck emission pollution, and address the goals, ideas and specific tasks for fighting against these types of pollution.

 

From: CGTN

 

 

China rolled out an action plan on Nov. 29 to speed up COVID-19 immunization of the elderly — especially those aged 80 and above — as vaccinations in the highly vulnerable group lag behind the general population.

 

The plan, released by the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, adjusts the booster vaccination protocol, and requires localities to extensively survey senior populations and ramp up services and awareness campaigns.

 

From: chinadaily.com.cn

 

 

A spokesperson for China’s National Health Commission (NHC) said on Nov. 29 that authorities would try their best to reduce inconvenience caused by the COVID-19 epidemic to the people.

 

All localities are making solid efforts to prevent and control the epidemic, said Mi Feng, an NHC spokesperson. Mi said efforts should also be made to accurately identify risky areas based on nucleic acid tests and epidemiological investigation, and closed-off management for the sake of epidemic control should be imposed and lifted as quickly as possible to reduce inconvenience caused by the COVID-19 epidemic to the people, Mi said.

 

From: Xinhua