Human rights experts from 20 countries begin Chongqing tour-China Human Rights

Human rights experts from 20 countries, including Peru, Nepal, Argentina, and the African Union converged in Chongqing on Sunday for the start of the Human Rights Action in China·2026 Chongqing Tour. [Photo by Deng Rui/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Human rights experts from 20 countries, including Peru, Nepal, Argentina, and the African Union, converged in Chongqing on Sunday for the start of the Human Rights Action in China·2026 Chongqing Tour.

During a visit to the Minzhucun community in Jiulongpo district, Gerald Mbanda, a researcher and publisher of Africa-China Review from Rwanda, explained that the local shape of democratic governance mirrored the practice in his home country.

Mbanda was particularly impressed by the community's "courtyard meeting hall" sessions. In these gatherings, local officials and community members convene in a circle in courtyards to discuss and debate public affairs. "This is all-inclusive governance...," he said, "where people are actively involved in decision-making about what is being done for them, something my country also aspires to."

Originally built as a residential area for industrial workers, the Minzhucun community's buildings date from the 1950s to the 1990s. In 2022, Jiulongpo launched an urban renewal pilot project to retain historical elements while optimizing public spaces and facilities.

Later in the day, the delegation visited Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park and Mine Cafe in Liangping district to learn about micro-wetland conservation and ecological restoration efforts.

Organized by the State Council Information Office, the tour covers several districts within Chongqing and is scheduled to run until Wednesday.

According to a report released on Friday by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and 20 national human rights education and training bases, China has comprehensively bolstered its human rights protection capability. The report evaluates the progress of the Human Rights Action Plan of China (2021-25), which was issued in September 2021.

The report says that China has completed all 181 tasks it listed for the five-year action plan. It asserts that China has improved human rights by fostering development, having built a moderately prosperous society and eliminated absolute poverty.

China now boasts the world's largest education, social security, and healthcare systems. Progress towards widespread prosperity has provided a stronger foundation for further human rights advancements in the country. Additionally, the report notes that China has been developing whole-process people's democracy, strengthening legal protections for human rights, and improving the systems that allow citizens to participate in governance.

Human rights experts from 20 countries begin Chongqing tour

Links