Established in September 2018, the Research Center for Human Rights at Minzu University of China is an interdisciplinary and comprehensive platform for human rights education and training. It is distinguished by its focus on human rights protection in ethnic affairs and international communication, and takes the development of a socialist theory of human rights and an independent knowledge system as its core mission. The Center is directed by Jiang Shigong, President of Minzu University of China, with the Law School serving as its principal implementing unit. It brings together experts and scholars from the University specializing in law, ethnology, economics, sociology, area and country studies, national security studies, foreign languages and literature, and other fields. The Center currently has more than 20 full-time and part-time researchers.   

The Center is the only university-based think tank in China whose core objectives are human rights protection in ethnic affairs and the building of a community for the Chinese nation. It is also the only human rights research institution and national base for human rights education and training among universities affiliated with the National Ethnic Affairs Commission. Guided by the need to serve national strategies and major national priorities, the Center is committed to advancing China’s human rights cause and takes forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation as the main focus of its work. Drawing on the distinctive strengths of its law discipline, the Center actively promotes education and research on human rights in the field of ethnic affairs and contributes to international exchanges and advocacy concerning human rights. The Center works to tell the stories of the Chinese nation as a community and the stories of human rights in China in the new era, while responding to and refuting smears and attacks by the United States and other Western countries concerning ethnic and religious affairs, Xizang- and Xinjiang-related issues, human rights, the rule of law, and other matters. Through these efforts, it contributes to strengthening the international voice and influence of China’s human rights work in ethnic affairs.

The Center has consistently maintained human rights protection in ethnic affairs and international communication as its defining features. Its principal objectives are to develop a socialist theory of human rights and an independent knowledge system, build an interdisciplinary and comprehensive university-wide platform for human rights education and training, and advance human rights protection in ethnic affairs and the building of a community for the Chinese nation. Closely responding to the needs of China’s human rights development, the Center has achieved a wide range of fruitful results, including the publication of more than 70 academic papers and approximately 20 academic monographs, as well as the award of funding for approximately 20 research projects. Its existing research closely examines the current development of China’s human rights cause, covering both macro-level theoretical studies of human rights and research into specific practical issues concerning human rights. The Center regularly invites renowned Chinese and international experts in the field of human rights to participate in lectures, academic salons, research visits, and roundtable discussions. It also actively participates in academic seminars and international communication activities concerning human rights theory organized by the Bureau of Human Rights Affairs of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the China Society for Human Rights Studies, the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, and other institutions. In addition, the Center actively organizes thematic side events during sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council and sends experts and scholars to participate in global human rights dialogues at various levels. These activities have produced a series of achievements in academic exchanges and international communication on human rights, generating positive feedback and influence.