China Presents Joint Statement for 71 Countries on Improving Global Human Rights Governance

Dragon Media News Desk

China has called on the international community to establish a just, equitable and inclusive global human rights governance system. Chinese permanent representative Jia Guide delivered the appeal on behalf of 71 countries at the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday.

Jia, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, presented a joint statement entitled “Improving International Human Rights Governance.” According to Xinhua, the statement drew guidance from the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 1, 2025.

Jia said the international landscape was undergoing profound changes amid a complex and turbulent environment, while global human rights governance was also experiencing significant adjustments. He outlined four proposals: a people-centred approach, sovereign equality, fairness and justice, and the international rule of law.

The first proposal stated that the people of each country should assess and improve their own human rights situation. It stressed that human rights governance should remain faithful to its original purpose and respond to people’s needs.

The second called for all countries to participate, make decisions and benefit on an equal footing, with greater attention to the voices of the Global South. It advocated fairness, objectivity and non-selectivity, alongside dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect.

The third opposed the politicization of human rights and their use as a political instrument. It called for a comprehensive approach to all categories of human rights, prudent reform and support for multilateral human rights institutions and experts to fulfil their mandates objectively and impartially.

The fourth emphasized the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the equal and consistent application of international law and rules. It opposed double standards, interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and the imposition of one country’s standards on others.

According to Xinhua, the joint statement was presented through the platform of the Group of Friends of Global Governance in Geneva, formally launched at the Palais des Nations on February 27, 2026.