Today, in the 21st century, hunger, poverty, conflicts, and environmental pollution persist while the development gap continues to widen. Many countries still face practical challenges like insufficient development momentum, relatively low overall development performance, and outdated infrastructure, which challenge the development of human rights and global human rights governance.

Since China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, there have been many rational and constructive comments from international public opinion. However, some skeptical voices should not be ignored. Whether it is a cooperative development or a "debt trap", we need to base ourselves on facts.

The following case studies may help us understand human rights from the perspectives of survival, development and health, and objectively view the significance of building the Belt and Road for global human rights governance.

Improving basic living conditions

CHARLES Ngendakumana, a farmer from the Bubanza Province, Burundi, started growing Chinese hybrid rice in 2018 under Chinese experts' guidance. As livelihood improved, his family has built a new house that stands out in the village.

The Ninga 4 Village, Commune of Gihanga, where Charles resides, is the first rice-based poverty reduction demonstration village established by a Chinese expert team in Burundi. Under the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and based on agreements between the governments of China and Burundi, China has implemented a high-level agricultural expert technical cooperation project in Burundi since August 2009. A total of five batches of 45 Chinese agricultural technology experts have been sent to the region to assist with aid tasks. They have successfully implemented several demonstration village projects on hybrid rice and poverty reduction.

The cultivation area of hybrid rice in Burundi has been continuously expanding, reaching 4,000 hectares by June 2023. Rice production has increased by 19,000 tons, and farmers' incomes have grown by 9.1 million US dollars. This progress contributes to the Burundian government's vision of "food for all and savings for every household."

SENEGAL, located near the Sahara Desert, has vast central and eastern areas that are semi-desert zones, with temperatures reaching as high as 45°C during the dry season. In rural areas far from cities, villagers face significant challenges in basic drinking water. After implementing the Rural Well Project, financed by China, 251 wells will be sunk, and 1,800 kilometers of pipelines will be laid. This initiative will address the water needs of one-seventh of Senegal's population.

Touba Fall in the Diourbel Region was once such a water-scarce village. In 2018, when the Chinese companies' well-digging project team arrived at the village of Touba Fall, Dioung joined the team to work on sinking a well. After completing the well project, Dioung was hired as the well's coordinator, responsible for its maintenance. Dioung mentioned that now, water pipes have reached every household in the village, enabling the villagers to have access to clean water right in their homes. He said "it was unimaginable in the past."

Creating employment opportunities

IN the Smederevo Steel Plant in Serbia, over 5,000 employees found new job opportunities through their involvement in the BRI. Once known as "Serbia's pride," this plant had supported the livelihoods of one-fifth of the local population but faced difficulties due to intense international market competition and mismanagement. In April 2016, China's Hebei Iron and Steel Group acquired the steel plant and turned it around from losses to profits in a short period.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that the Chinese company saved this nearly bankrupt steel plant and preserved all its jobs. Together with the cooperating businesses, this steel plant can provide 50,000 job opportunities, a significant number for Serbia.

THE China-Laos Railway is Laos' first modern railway, fulfilling the country's long-standing aspiration to transform from a "landlocked country" to a "land-linked country." It has not only promoted regional connectivity and mutual benefits but has also generated employment opportunities in Laos. From its commencement on December 3, 2021, to May 2023, the China-Laos Railway recruited over 3,500 Laotian employees and indirectly created more than 100,000 jobs in logistics, transportation, trade, and tourism. Thanks to this railway, an increasing number of young people from remote areas of Laos can step out of the mountains and embrace the world.

Getting rid of poverty

NEW Hope Egypt Limited Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Chinese enterprise established in Egypt, with four feed companies and one poultry breeding company under its umbrella. The company has imported formulation technology, production management systems, and breeding service systems from China, sourcing high-quality raw materials globally. Through systematic capabilities in high-quality products, professional services, industry support, and financial assistance, it annually supports the local poultry farming industry with a production of 85 million broilers and increases poultry farmers' income by over 150 million RMB.

"USING Juncao Technology to cultivate mushrooms is now a lucrative business in Rwanda. And it's helping people escape poverty," said Ashimana. "I have four children, and with the income generated from Juncao Technology, I can even save some money to expand my business further after covering my children's school fees and our living expenses. The Chinese Juncao Technology has benefited me and many others."

Currently, Chinese Juncao Technology has been extended to over 100 countries and regions worldwide, helping many farmers escape poverty. Amson Sibanda, Chief of the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch in the Division for Inclusive Development, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, noted that Juncao Technology contributes to achieving various sustainable development goals, making it a priority project for the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund.

Offering medical aid

OVER the past decade, China has continued to send medical teams to dozens of countries and regions around the world, including Africa and Asia, and has actively diagnosed and treated patients, winning widespread praise. Currently, Chinese foreign aid medical teams are still working at 115 medical points in 57 countries worldwide, nearly half of which are in remote areas with harsh living conditions.

In January 2023, Phase I of the Chinese-aided African Union Africa CDC Headquarters project was completed in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. After completion, it will become the first modern and well-equipped African CDC on the continent, offering office space and advanced laboratory facilities.

Providing access to education

AT the end of 2022, during the graduation ceremony of the first senior class at Butuka Academy in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, Mr. Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea, stated that the establishment of Butuka Academy serves as a vivid example of China's development benefiting the world. He emphasized that every student benefits from the educational cooperation between Papua New Guinea and China.

A Chinese-funded project for the local community, Butuka Academy, has been built by China to benefit the local people. Since its inauguration in November 2018, it has become a new landmark in Port Moresby. After expansion, the academy now covers an area of 10,800 square meters and includes facilities for kindergarten, elementary, and middle school education, totaling 52 classrooms. This expansion has successfully addressed the challenges more than 3,000 primary and secondary students face in accessing education. It has become the largest, most comprehensive, and most advanced school in Papua New Guinea in terms of its facilities and functionality.

Building public cultural infrastructure

THE Chinese "Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages" project aims to provide satellite digital television access to 10,000 villages in African countries. As of the end of 2022, the project has successfully been implemented in 20 African countries. It covers 9,512 villages, benefiting over 190,000 households of nearly 10 million people. Transitioning from having no access to electricity to being able to watch satellite digital television, Emir, a local employee of the project in Africa, said: "When we gained "eyes," we also acquired tools to understand the world and improve our homeland. We can now learn about more advanced development technologies and models."

"I AM willing to give a bag of gold just to catch a glimpse of Khiva," says this ancient saying from Central Asia. The thousand-year-old city of Khiva in Uzbekistan had some of its ancient buildings in disrepair due to the passage of time, causing this "pearl" of the Silk Road to be "covered in dust" for a while. Thanks to the joint restoration project between China and Uzbekistan and the ingenious craftsmanship of Chinese experts, the ancient city of Khiva has now been restored to its original appearance and is once again shining brightly. Shakir Madaminov, the director of the Ichan-Kala Museum-Reserve, stated, "Chinese experts have been involved in restoring the ancient city of Khiva for three years, and now the city looks exceptionally beautiful. Seeing the restored ancient city, the residents here are very proud because it is a cultural treasure of Uzbekistan."

Protecting the ecological environment

SINCE the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) constructed by China began to operate, the mangrove forests in the Mombasa Mangrove Wetland Park along the railway line have continued to thrive as usual, thanks to the efforts of the Chinese engineering team. During the SGR's construction, China pre-installed multiple water culverts within the mangrove growth area to ensure that seawater can enter the area cut off by construction work to nourish the mangroves and allow them to grow undisturbed.

Additionally, many sections of the SGR run through wildlife passages. Therefore, sound barrier technology has been applied to reduce noise when trains pass through. Renowned Kenyan environmentalist Ali Mohammed commented, "I am proud that my country has such a modern railway because it not only contributes to economic revitalization but also prioritizes the protection of the ecosystem along the route. The efforts made by the project have safeguarded marine ecosystems, including the mangrove forests."

Guaranteeing the rights of women and children

IN April 2016, the Sindh government of Pakistan, several Pakistani companies, and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) formed a consortium to initiate the construction of the Thar Coal Field's open-pit mining project, which required a significant number of dump truck drivers. The project employed exclusively Pakistani drivers, establishing a dedicated training center that provided training to tens of thousands of individuals, including over 50 women. The employment of female drivers not only increased household income but also enhanced the social status of women.

Nusrat Bai, originally a tailor in Bhakuo of the Thar district, faced financial hardship. After a year of training, she became an outstanding dump truck driver, earning several times more monthly than before. She said, "Now, I'm one of the few in my area who can afford milk, fruit, and good clothes. Our family's life has changed tremendously, and it's hard to describe how happy I am."

IRAQ once had the best educational facilities in the Middle East, but years of conflict and turmoil have resulted in a shortage of school buildings. Many students can only attend classes in makeshift huts or converted shipping containers. To address the "access to education" challenge, the Iraqi government has formulated plans for new school construction, prioritizing it as one of the most urgent projects for the well-being of its citizens. In the first phase, out of the 1,000 schools tendered, Powerchina International Group Limited has been contracted to construct 679 schools in ten provinces. Upon completion, this project will provide access to education for approximately 430,000 students.

Excerpts from For a better world – looking at the past decade of jointly pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative from a human rights perspective issued by China Foundation for Human Rights Development and New China Research, the think tank under Xinhua.