Madam Chair,

The Chinese delegation took note of the report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons to the General Assembly on the human trafficking and serious exploitation of workers, and listened carefully to the Special Rapporteur’s statement, many of her recommendations, in particular about strengthening legal protection and access to remedy and compensation, are consistent with China's policy and proposition.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to combating human trafficking. The China Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons (2013-2020) promulgated and implemented by the State Council of China, comprehensively planned the specific measures and responsibility to be taken by relevant Chinese government departments and social organizations from the aspects of prevention, combating trafficking, remedy and international cooperation, so as to strengthen cooperation between districts, departments and agencies to help victims of human trafficking. The Chinese judicial organs have severely cracked down on trafficking crimes and earnestly safeguarded the rights and interests of victims.

China and the International Labor Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have launched a series of cooperation projects to combat human trafficking, to promote cooperation with neighboring countries, and strengthen the policy and legal framework for forced labor and human trafficking. China is willing to continue to work with UN agencies and other governments to combat human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers.

Madam Chair,

The Chinese delegation took note of the report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery. The report focuses on the issue of slavery, the manifestations and root causes of child slavery and presents recommendations to Member States and other stakeholders.

China has severely cracked down and resolutely put an end to all forms of slavery. As a country with the largest number of children in the world, China has continuously improved its legal system and established a joint meeting mechanism of the State Council to crack down on criminal activities including human trafficking and forced labor targeting children, and effectively protect the rights of vulnerable groups including children.

At present, factors such as poverty, social inequality, discrimination, and armed conflict may induce modern slavery. The international community should deepen cooperation and work together to eliminate the root causes of contemporary slavery. Countries should incorporate anti-human trafficking, forced labour, etc. into national laws, improve institutional mechanisms, and mobilize the wide participation of other stakeholders. The UN human rights mechanism should also work in synergy together with the International Labor Organization and Interpol. Developed countries should provide financial and technical support to help developing countries strengthen capacity building. China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges with all parties. During the UN General Assembly in September 2017, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the round table on combating modern slavery initiated by the United Kingdom and other countries, and put forward four proposals: focus on people, intensify coordination, jointly shoulder responsibility, address both the symptoms and root causes. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with all parties and strive to completely eliminate all contemporary forms of slavery and jointly create a favorable environment for the healthy growth of children around the world.

Madam Chair,

The Chinese delegation welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons and listened carefully to her statement. We noted that the Special Rapporteur conducted a systematic analysis of internally displaced children in her report and made recommendations to address the issue.

The Chinese side believes that the causes of the problem of internally displaced persons are very complicated. China calls on governments to focus on root causes, promote economic and social development, build lasting peace, and adopt comprehensive measures to eliminate the factors that cause internally displaced persons. It is hoped that the Special Rapporteur could play a more active role in this regard.

Displaced children are the vulnerable group of displaced persons, thus in particular need of attention and support from governments and societies. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights convention. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention. China calls on all countries to actively fulfill their obligations under the Convention and ensure that every child can grow up in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity.

Thank you, Madam Chair.