China will adhere to the cooperative spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is willing to work with the international community in building a harmonious, friendly and fair human rights culture, a senior Chinese diplomat said in Geneva on Monday.

Li Baodong, Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG), said that promoting and safeguarding human rights is an endless process, and every country faces unique or common challenges in this process.

He said the 47-state UN Human Rights Council holds an ineludible responsibility in facing the various human rights challenges in the world.

The ambassador was addressing the sixth regular session of the UN human rights body, resumed at the UNOG Monday after a suspension in September.

He said the Human Rights Council should be a fair, objective and firm body in order to live up to the high expectations of the world and send a united and powerful message to those who need help.

"History has witnessed not only the great progress of China's human rights cause, but also the huge efforts the Chinese government has made in promoting international cooperation and dialogue in the human rights field," Li told delegates of the meeting.

"China has the determination and confidence to make new progress in the human rights cause," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2007)