China on Tuesday urged the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to respect every country's own path to human rights development.

Chen Xu, representative of China's Permanent Mission to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, made the remarks on behalf of 30 countries at the 51st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for discussing the human rights report.

With COVID-19 resurgences impacting socioeconomic development, especially in developing countries, Chen said more attention should be paid to economic, social, cultural, developmental and health rights of the people. The OHCHR should prioritize eliminating inequality and help developing countries overcome the pandemic and achieve sustainable development, he added.

Chen also called on the OHCHR to increase human rights assistance, especially in developing countries, with the consent of the country involved.

The UNHRC should be the platform for constructive dialogue and cooperation, Chen noted, and all parties should avoid politicizing the council.

Noting that the key to successful cooperation between the OHCHR and member countries is mutual respect and trust, Chen said the OHCHR, when negotiating with members, should respect the information provided by all parties.

(Cover: A view of the 51st Regular Session of the UN's Human Rights Council, September 7, 2022. /@UN_HRC)