The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) has already shown
greater concern for human rights and so has the government, said
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Monday.
The draft amendment to the Constitution, scheduled to be
discussed at the annual session of the Chinese legislature this
month, includes the CPC-proposed item "to respect and guarantee
human rights."
The new Chinese leadership has also promoted a scientific
concept of development featuring humanistic governance and
comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development of the
economy and society.
"The series of policies put forward by the new leadership since
last year are significant to improving human rights protection in
China," said Zhou Jue, president of the China Society for Human
Rights (CSHR) at the second session of its second national council,
held on Monday.
Notably, the Party and the government pledged to promote
citizens' participation in politics and better implement the
Constitution, Zhou said.
China has adopted open elections for village committees in rural
areas and promoted balloting for community committees in cities.
Voting for heads of townships and counties is on trial in a few
areas.
The government has taken steps to protect the rights of minority
groups such as migrant workers, AIDS/HIV patients and the needy,
Zhou added.
Premier Wen Jiabao visited and shook hands with AIDS patients in
Beijing on December 1 last year, an unprecedented act. The
administration also promised to offer free medicine to needy
AIDS/HIV-positive people.
"China's perspective on human rights is different from the West,
since the two have different cultures and face different economic
and social problems," said Zhu Muzhi, a senior expert and honorary
president of the CSHR. "It is not confrontation, but dialogue that
will narrow the differences."
The Chinese enjoyed better human rights than ever before, but
there were problems, said Peking University Professor Chen
Zhishang, a member of CSHR.
The gap between the rich and the poor and between cities and the
countryside was expanding. The country should also seek new ways to
protect the rights of the poor and the rural population, Chen
said.
The CSHR, founded in 1993 and with a total membership of 163, is
the only national academic society for human rights in China.
(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2004)