Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation has taken note of the relevant reports submitted under this agenda item by the Chairman of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, the Special Representative for Violence against Children and the Secretary General respectively.

In recent years, thanks to the continuous efforts by the international community, national governments and the civil society, steady progress has been made in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. At the same time, in many parts of the world, the life and health of children continue to be affected by poverty, hunger, disease, disasters, child labor, drugs, sexual violation, war and conflicts. The global cause of protecting the rights of the child still faces many challenges. The international community should work closely together in adopting effective measures to eliminate the root causes of the violation of the rights of the child.

Mr. Chairman,

Children represent the hope and future of mankind. Their healthy development bears on the destiny of the entire human race and should therefore receive the care and protection of the whole international community. The Chinese Government supports the UN system in continuing to play a leading role in the protection and promotion of the rights of the child. China believes that the international community should work together to maintain world peace and stability, so that children all over the world can be spared of the scourge of war and instability. Member States should take legislative, administrative and judicial measures in a continued effort to reach the targets of the Plan of Action adopted by the Special Session of the GA on Children and endeavor to improve the health and education of children, and protect them from discrimination and abuse. Developed countries should take on more responsibilities by providing financial and technical support to developing countries, with a view to creating a favorable environment for the healthy growth of children.

The Chinese government views the healthy growth of hundreds of millions of our children as part of the foundation of our nation. China has put in place a relatively comprehensive legal system for the protection of the rights of the child, and established special agencies on children at central and local levels, thus providing effective legal and institutional guarantees for the protection of the rights of the child. At present, the Chinese government is working hard to reach all the goals and targets of the National Program of Action for Child Development in China 2011-2020, in an all out effort to promote and protect the rights of our children.

Mr. Chairman,

Attaching great importance to the role of international human rights instruments in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, China has acceded to a series of international treaties dedicated to the protection of the rights of the child and fulfilled relevant treaty obligations in real earnest. In 2010, the Chinese government submitted its 3rd and 4th combined reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the initial report on the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. This year, China sent a delegation to attend the consideration of the above reports by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, where it engaged with the Committee in a frank, pragmatic and constructive dialogue.

The Chinese government will continue to fulfill its international responsibilities, take an active part in international collaboration, and cooperate with other Member States in an effort to further promote the healthy development of children throughout the world.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.