China hails achievements in protecting human rights

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01:45

December 10 marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A symposium is hosted in China on Monday to commemorate the occasion, as government leaders and scholars hailed the country's achievements in protecting human rights.

Reflecting on decades of human rights milestones in China, experts praised the accomplishments and said things can still get better.

President Xi Jinping, in a letter to ministers at the symposium, highlighted the most important aspects.

"President Xi says the biggest human right is people's happiness, which is the purpose of all of our party's political practices. Chinese people in the new era are enjoying human rights that are broader and more sufficient than any time in the history,” said Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Symposium on the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, December 10, 2018. /CGTN photo

Huang said over the last 70 years, China's average life expectancy has more than doubled, from 35 years to 76.7 years.

Disposable income per capita has risen by nearly 23 times in the last four decades.

The nation also protects people's other rights, including economic, political, environmental, and cultural rights under the rule of law.

Huang said China's experience should be better introduced to the world.

"Different opinions of human rights stem from difference in social systems and value concepts. Communication is an effective way to reduce barriers and increase common sense. China remains open towards international human rights cooperation," said Huang Kunming.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.

It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.