China's UN representative rejects six countries' criticism of its human rights record
In short
China's deputy UN representative Sun Lei rejected criticism of China's human rights record by the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Czech Republic and Lithuania at the UN General Assembly Third Committee on Oct 5, saying they are in no position to lecture China. Sun cited poverty and social problems in those countries and defended China's poverty alleviation, democracy and ethnic policies. Both Xinhua and China News Service reported the rebuttal.
Read the full story 2 min read
China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Sun Lei, delivered a right of reply at the UN General Assembly Third Committee general debate on Oct 5, rejecting criticism of China's human rights record by a small number of countries. He said the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Czech Republic and Lithuania had made “unwarranted accusations” and “maliciously smeared” China's human rights situation, and China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, according to China News Service. [ 1 , 2 ]
Sun Lei said those countries “think they are superior” and act as “human rights teachers,” but have prominent human rights problems at home and are in no position to lecture China. He cited poverty in the UK, saying over 14 million people live below the poverty line, and Japan's relative poverty rate of 15%, with child poverty increasingly prominent. [ 2 ]
He said China has continuously protected and improved people's livelihoods through development, eliminating absolute poverty and lifting nearly 100 million people out of poverty. He also said China's whole-process people's democracy has public support and satisfaction above 90% for years, and that the Hong Kong National Security Law turned Hong Kong from chaos to order, gaining support from all sectors in Hong Kong. [ 2 ]
Sun Lei said all ethnic groups in China are equal members of the Chinese nation, and the rights of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and Tibet are effectively protected. He criticized Japan for failing to implement commitments to eliminate racial discrimination and not treating Ainu and Ryukyu people as equal, and criticized the UK, Australia and Ireland for the legacy of colonialism and current racial and ethnic divisions. [ 2 ]
He said China has taken responsibility amid headwinds against multilateralism, contributing to international human rights causes and promoting dialogue and cooperation. He criticized the UK, Australia, Japan, Czech Republic and Lithuania for ignoring injustices suffered by people in Palestine, Iran and Cuba, and for using human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs and impose unilateral coercive measures. [ 2 ]
Sun Lei said China will continue on a human rights development path suited to its national conditions and is willing to engage in constructive dialogue, and urged the few countries to stop fabricating and spreading lies about China and stop political manipulation. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The exchange at the UN General Assembly Third Committee highlights continuing disputes over human rights between China and several Western countries. China's official outlets gave prominence to the rebuttal, indicating the government's effort to counter criticism internationally. The documents do not indicate any immediate consequence beyond the diplomatic statement.
Key facts
- China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Sun Lei made a right of reply at the UN General Assembly Third Committee general debate on Oct 5. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sun Lei named the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Czech Republic and Lithuania as having criticized China's human rights situation. [ 2 ]
- Sun Lei said China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the criticism. [ 2 ]
- Sun Lei said China has lifted nearly 100 million people out of absolute poverty. [ 2 ]
- Sun Lei said public support and satisfaction with the Chinese government have exceeded 90% for years. [ 2 ]
- Sun Lei criticized Japan's relative poverty rate of 15% and child poverty. [ 2 ]
- Sun Lei said the UK has over 14 million people below the poverty line. [ 2 ]
- Both Xinhua and China News Service reported the rebuttal. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- China's deputy UN representative Sun Lei delivered a right of reply at the UN General Assembly Third Committee general debate on Oct 5, rejecting criticism from the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Czech Republic and Lithuania. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sun Lei stated that China has lifted nearly 100 million people out of absolute poverty and that public support for the government exceeds 90%. [ 2 ]
- Both Xinhua and China News Service reported the rebuttal. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The specific content of the accusations made by the six countries. The documents only report Sun Lei's characterization and response, not the original statements by the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Czech Republic or Lithuania.
- Whether the six countries responded to Sun Lei's rebuttal. No response from any of the named countries is reported in the documents.
- The exact time of Sun Lei's remarks on Oct 5. The documents give the date but not a specific time for the remarks.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Sun Lei delivers a right of reply at the UN General Assembly Third Committee general debate in New York, rejecting criticism from the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Czech Republic and Lithuania. [ 2 ]
- Xinhua publishes a report titled “China's representative rejects a few countries' smearing of China's human rights situation.” [ 1 ]
- China News Service publishes a detailed report on Sun Lei's remarks. [ 2 ]