On 6 October, Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations, addressed the Third Committee of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly and introduced China’s historical achievements on human rights.

Ambassador Zhang said that in the 71 years since the founding of the People’s Republic, China has made a great leap forward in standing up, getting rich and becoming strong, and made real achievements in human rights. With a people-centered approach, China has lifted 850 million people out of poverty. Giving top priority to life, China has adopted the most stringent and thorough epidemic prevention and control measures and achieved major victories in the fight against COVID-19. With a holistic approach, China has issued three National Human Rights Action Plans and formed a sound legal system for human rights protection. Upholding international fairness and justice, China opposes interference in internal affairs and speaks out for developing countries in defense of justice.

Ambassador Zhang emphasized that China resolutely safeguards its national sovereignty, security and development interests. May it be promoting the development of western regions such as Xinjiang, or maintaining the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, it is for maintaining the rule of law, national security and the interests of the people, and is consistent with the well-established and common practice of the international community. No matter what others say or do, we will unswervingly move forward along this path.

Ambassador Zhang said that China's human rights path is found by the Chinese people. China's human rights progress is achieved by the Chinese people. We welcome equal-footed dialogue, but we firmly oppose interference in internal affairs, double standards and political confrontation. In the field of human rights, there is always room for improvement. China is ready to continue working with other countries in the spirit of equality, mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness to move towards the lofty ideal of “human rights for all”.