The 2025 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights opened in Madrid, Spain, on June 25, local time. The event brought together numerous experts, scholars and officials from China and more than 20 European countries. Centered on the theme "Human Rights in the Era of Digital Intelligence," the seminar explored both theoretical and practical approaches to redefining human rights protection amid the global wave of technological advancement.
Marta Montoro, Vice Chair and General Director of the China Knowledge Lecture Hall Foundation in Spain, delivered an inspiring speech at the opening ceremony. She emphasized that in the digital and intelligent era, the spirit of humanism is more vital than ever. Progress, she noted, must not leave behind children, women, the elderly, or people in the Global South. Montoro firmly stated, "We reject the exclusive hegemony that divides the world into winners and losers. We believe in a multipolar world where all civilizations, cultures and people have a voice." She also expressed strong support for China's goals of promoting common prosperity, harmonious and peaceful development, believing that "only through common growth can we stand the test of time, and only with true inclusivity can we protect the planet we inhabit. Unity makes us stronger."
Lu Guangjin, Vice President of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, introduced the scale of China's internet development to the European guests and scholars. Citing the "Statistical Report on the Development of the Internet in China" released in January 2025, he noted that as of December 2024, China had 1.108 billion internet users, with a penetration rate of 78.6%. Online shopping users numbered 974 million, accounting for 87.9% of total internet users. "China has the largest internet user base in the world," Lu stated.
China's remarkable progress in digital development not only reflects the expansion of its digital population but also underscores its commitment to safeguarding human rights. Lu detailed China's efforts in digital legislation to protect citizens' basic rights. He highlighted laws such as the "Data Security Law" and the "Personal Information Protection Law," which enshrine the principle of “informed consent.” This legal framework ensures that citizens retain control over their personal information in the digital age, thereby protecting privacy and preventing data leakage.
China's attention to vulnerable groups in the digital age is also evident in the "Aging Adaptation Transformation" special action, which has helped 140 million elderly people cross the "digital divide." Through measures such as simplifying digital device interfaces and developing user - friendly applications, the elderly can now enjoy the convenience of the digital world, such as online shopping, video - calling their families and accessing healthcare services online.
China's influence in the international digital governance arena is also growing. China has put forward the "Global AI Governance Initiative" and the "Global Data Security Initiative" at the United Nations, advocating the establishment of an ethical consensus in the digital age that "puts people first and promotes the goodness of intelligence." These initiatives aim to promote global cooperation in digital governance, ensuring that digital technology is developed and applied in a way that benefits all mankind and respects human rights.
The 2025 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights provides a valuable platform for in-depth exchanges and mutual learning. China's experiences and practices in promoting human rights in the digital and intelligent era offer important references for the international community. As Marta Montoro said, the future of humanity cannot be written without China. China's continuous efforts in digital development and human rights protection are contributing to the building of a more just, inclusive and sustainable global community.
