A symposium on human rights development since the founding of new China concluded in northeastern China's Changchun on Thursday. Experts across the nation discussed how legal system, as well as economic and social protection, have progressed over the past 70 years. 

While China and its people have undergone earth-shattering changes, the country has also seen a roller coaster ride of human rights development. The gathering of experts in this field agrees that China has taken a successful path that suits its own conditions.

Professor Liu Hainian from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said throughout the past 70 years the independence and liberation of the country and its people first laid the foundation for some of the most important developments in the field of human rights. Later, the reform and opening-up established the socialist market economy, and granted individuals more freedom and rights. 

The expert added that President Xi Jinping has further developed concepts like the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation, people-centered approaches, and the rule of law. They are embodied in the campaigns for poverty alleviation, social security and ending corruption.

China has made great efforts to improve not just legal but also policy mechanisms to protect civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Special groups, including ethnic minorities, women and children, have made gains. Professor Zhang Xiaoling from the Party School of the CPC gave an example that women's political rights in China have been fully protected by laws and policies over the past decades.

Efforts include continually improving laws regarding political participation and advancing women development. By early 2018, a total of over a hundred female cadres have been elected as leaders at or above the vice-provincial level.

Experts pointed out that over the years China has also contributed a lot to the world's human rights development. Professor Chang Jian from Nan Kai University said China has reversed the downplaying of socio-economic rights, which has led to the formulation of many important UN human rights documents. China is also committed to safeguarding world peace and joint development as a primary part of human rights protection. 

Moreover, China opposes the harm of unilateral sanctions on common people. Experts said these propositions are well-accepted by many developing countries, bringing an end to the days when their voices went unheard. 

But meanwhile, certain countries still tend to use human rights as a political weapon on the global arena to slander their opponents. As President Xi once said there's "no best," but only "better" in terms of human rights. As human rights have become an issue that calls on global governance, experts believe China will learn from history and international experience, while adhering to its people-centered concept of human rights, to bring its people a brighter future. 

And more importantly, the country is ready to solve a common problem like unilateralism, terrorism and pollution cooperatively, through initiatives like building community with a shared future for mankind and South-South cooperation among developing countries.

(Cover image: Symposium on 70 years of human rights development in China. /CGTN Photo)