On March 5th 2021, undertaken by Jilin University Human Rights Center, School of Law and Research Center of Jurisprudence, the China Side Event of the UN Human Rights Council 46th Session, Multilateralism and Human Rights Developments: Human Rights Cooperation and Achievements between China and the Belt and Road Initiative Countries was held successfully. The side event was organized by China Society for Human Rights Studies, Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations and Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland. Prof. Cai Lidong, the Vice President of Jilin University, addressed the opening ceremony. Zhou Chunguo, Secretary of the Party Committee at School of Law, Dean Prof. He Zhipeng, Associate Dean Prof. Wen Shuangge and associate professor Liu Hongzhen, also Deputy Director of Human Rights Center, attended the conference.
The conference was held with both online and offline participation, with Jilin University as the main venue. More than 20 experts, scholars and media from universities and scientific research institutions made presentations and had discussions, which includes Vrije University Amsterdam, Saint-Petersburg State University, City University of Hong Kong, China University of Political Science and Law, Wuhan University, Jilin University, Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Northwest University of Political Science and Law.
The side event aims at introducing the human rights cooperation and achievement between China and the belt and road initiative countries to the international community, reiterating China’s position of upholding multilateralism, presenting China’s attitude to promote human rights through cooperation, enhancing international comprehension concerning the theory, path and practice of China’s human right advancement, and accelerating the international development of diversified and comprehensive idea of human right.
Prof. Wen Shuangge presided over the opening ceremony and was the moderator of the presentation sessions. Prof. Cai Lidong, the Vice President of Jilin University, addressed at the opening ceremony that the COVID-19 epidemic had increased the world’s awareness of effective human right protection. The global challenge could not be solved by any single country, and thus the UN concept of multilateralism is of vital importance. He pointed out that China is a strong supporter of multilateralism. China has constantly promoted the idea of multilateralism through the platforms of the UN and World Economic Forum Davos Agenda, and implemented the practice of multilateralism through measures such as the belt and road initiative to contribute China’s wisdom to human rights development. Prof. Cai also extended his appreciation to relevant parties for their support to the conference and stated that Jilin University would make continuous contribution to China’s human rights development.
The presentations consist of three sessions, including Theoretical and Conceptual Problems, Various Ways and Efforts to Promote Human Rights and International Cooperation.
In the first session, Prof. Zhang Wei, the Executive Deputy Director of the Institute for Human Right, China University of Political Science and Law, presented on the topic of A Community with A Shared Future for Mankind and Cooperation in Belt and Road Initiative. Prof. Wang Jiangyu, Director of the Center for Chinese Law and Comparative Law, City University of Hong Kong delivered a speech on Human Rights in the Age of Geopolitics. Prof. Otto Spijkers from Wuhan University’s China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies, Wuhan University’s Research and Institute of Environmental Law addressed on the topic of Global Solidarity, Human Rights and the Pandemic.
In the second session, Deputy Director of Human Rights Center of JLU School of Law, associate professor Liu Hongzhen, expressed her ideas on the topic of Economic Cooperation: A Road to Human Rights Development. Associate Researcher Peng Qinxuan from Wuhan University Institute of International Law delivered a speech entitled South-South Human Rights Cooperation Paves the Way to A Community of Shared Future for Mankind. Associate Professor Fozia Nazia Lone from City University of Hong Kong addressed on the topic China’s Multilateral Approach to Human Rights Protection: Some Stakeholders Perspectives. Associate Professor Alexander Zezekalo from Saint-Petersburg State University talked about Housing and Tenancy in the Case Law of the ECtHR.
In the third session, Prof. Qian Jinyu, the Executive Dean of the Institute for Human Rights from Northwest University of Political Science and Law, discussed the topic of Security Strategy and Multilateral Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism among the Belt and Road: Challenges and Prospects. Prof. Wu Xi from Institute for Human Rights, Southwest University of Political Science and Law made a speech on Drug Control Cooperation Between China and The Belt and Road ASEAN Countries.
In the closing ceremony, Prof. He Zhipeng, the Executive Director of Human Rights Center and Dean of JLU School of Law, made a closing speech. Prof. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all the attendees and made the remarks that nowadays both the world and Chinese Communist Party were confronting with challenges. China has always been working on solutions to those challenges and serve the people and society. Chinese Communist Party is a great political party which might be misunderstood at present by some countries. However, China is always seeking cooperation instead of confrontation. Prof. He also added that international relationship could also be interpreted from the perspective of realism and liberalism, and it was determined by the attitude of the state leaders to a large degree. Cooperation and development might be fostered by open and inclusive policies.
