Seeking Solutions for the "Four Questions" of China's Human Rights:

—Theoretical Review and Prospects of China's Human Rights Research in 2023

WANG Liwan

Abstract: In 2023, China's human rights research is aimed at addressing "China's question," the "world's question," the "people's question," and the "question of the times." Resolving "China's question" on human rights seeks to establish the subjectivity of the Chinese path of human rights development. The ontological interpretation of the Chinese path of human rights development has elucidated the historical, theoretical, and practical logic of its formation, while the epistemological exploration has unfolded the subject presuppositions, theoretical compositions, and reference systems of the Chinese path of human rights. Addressing the "world's question" of human rights aims to answer how the world has changed in the field of human rights and what China should do in response. Faced with the severe challenges of global human rights governance, relevant studies have proposed "Chinese solutions" from the perspectives of overall strategy, historical experience, value guidance, and institutionalized participation, among others. Responding to the "people's question" regarding human rights means continuously meeting the growing demands of the people for a better life. Relevant studies focus on explaining the relationship between fundamental human rights and maximum human rights, the relationship between inclusive human rights and specific group interests, and the relationship between constitutional and legal guarantees of human rights. Seeking answers to the "question of the times" concerning human rights involves adapting to the changing times and meeting the needs of the times on human rights. Relevant research focuses on new demands in the field of human rights, particularly discussing digital human rights, environmental human rights, climate and human rights, as well as business and human rights. With profound past experiences and lofty future expectations, China's human rights research should focus on enhancing its systematic and theoretical levels, accelerating the construction of a disciplinary system, an academic system, and a discourse system for China's human rights.

Keywords: Chinese path of human rights development · China's question · world's question · people's question · question of the times