1. Since China's legitimate seat in the United Nations was restored in 1971, China begins getting involved in the substantive discussions on human rights in UN General Assembly and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and has attended sessions of the Commission on Human Rights as observer for three consecutive years from 1979. In 1981 when Chinawas elected member of ECOSOC at its first regular meeting, it has been re-elected ever since. And since 1982, Chinais represented at ECOSOC regular sessions every year.

Promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom is one of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The Chinese government has always supported the UN in its effort to this end, and is actively involved in the human rights field within the UN.

In the year of 2002, Chinasent its delegation to the 58thsession of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) held from March 18 through April 26,2002in Geneva. Vice foreign minister Wang Guangya made his first statement entitled "Join Hands in Promoting the Sound Development of the Cause of Human Rights" as a distinguished guest at the session in which he elaborated on the principled position of the Chinese government on the issue of human rights, and familiarized the participants with the great progress made by China. In 2003, Chinawas also represented at the 59thsession of the CHR held from March 17 through April 25, 2003in Geneva. This session witnessed the adoption of 86 resolutions, 18 decisions and a chairperson's statement on the human rights situation in Columbia.

The Chinese delegation also attended the substantive session of the UN ECOSOC held from July1 through July26, 2003 in New York and the Third Committee of the 57thsession of the UN General Assembly held from September 30 through November 20, 2003 in New York, and participated in the human rights discussions. Chinese expert Chen Shiqiu took part in the 54thsession of the Sub-commission on promotion and Protection of Human Rights (July 29 through August 1, 2002, Geneva). Another Chinese expert Qin Xiaomei attended the 2ndsession of the Permanent Forum of Indigenous Peoples (May 7 through May 23, New York).

On February 28, 2001, the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. At the moment, Chinais preparing to submit its first-ever report under that Covenant. Up till this day, Chinahas acceded to 18 international human rights conventions or covenants. In addition, Chinasigned the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in October1998.

2. China has been making much of the positive role played by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in promotion and protection of the human rights and has maintained good working relations with the UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was invited to attend the Seminar on Lawyers and Judges-a joint project between Chinaand OHCHR held from 18 to 20 August 2002in China. Vice premier Qian Qichen met with her party, and vice foreign minister Wang Guangya had held talks with her. Ms Robinson expressed her satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation and appreciated the achievements scored by the Chinese government in developing economy and strengthening rule of law. Apart from this, the Chinese government and the OHCHR have also jointly organized the Seminar on Prison Administration and follow-ups to the Seminar on Human Rights Education. All these activities were crowned with success.

In September 2002, Sergio Vieira de Mello was named as the third High Commissioner for Human Rights.

3. China respects the human rights and their universal principles, and at the same time holds that it is normal to have different views and even divergence on human rights due to different political systems and different development levels as well as diverse historical and cultural backgrounds in various countries. With regard to those difference or divergences, we maintain that countries should foster understanding, seek common ground while leaving aside difference through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. That has been a historical trend in the international human rights domain.

Over recent years, Chinahas initiated a host of dialogues and exchanges with the US, the EU, the UK, Norway, Canada, Australia, Switzerlandand other western countries. Since 1997,Chinahas conducted 15 rounds of dialogues with the EU and nine human rights and judicial seminars, nine human rights dialogues with the UK, seven dialogues and one seminar on human rights with Canada, six dialogues on the same topic with Australia, and six roundtable meetings on judicial matters with Norway. China, alongside Canadaand Norwayjointly organized the fourth seminar on human rights in Indonesia.

Besides, China's dialogue and exchange partners include Sri Lanka, Thailand, Gabon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentinaand other developing countries. Those activities have contributed to better understanding, broader consensus and scored positive results.