You Nan
The digital age has brought about a series of new human rights challenges, such as data privacy and network security. The China-EU Dialogue on Human Rights is a bilateral dialogue mechanism between China and the EU on human rights issues. Through this dialogue, both sides can enhance their understanding of each other’s human rights concepts and practices, reduce misunderstandings and prejudices, jointly address these challenges, protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people, expand the concept of human rights, and promote the cause of global human rights in practice.
The Importance of the China-EU Dialogue on Human Rights
The importance of the China-EU Dialogue on Human Rights is self-evident. The dialogue provides a platform for both sides to have in-depth exchanges and discussions on human rights concepts, theories, and practices. Such exchanges help enhance understanding and respect for human rights issues and promote the popularization and practice of human rights concepts in their respective societies.
At the same time, the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue demonstrates the great importance both sides attach to and their participation in international human rights affairs. The two sides can cooperate in the field of human rights and jointly respond to global human rights challenges, such as poverty, discrimination, and war.
However, it should be noted that due to differences in political systems, history, and culture between China and Europe, there are inevitably some differences and disputes on human rights issues. Under such circumstances, both sides should maintain an open and constructive attitude, handle differences in a constructive way, and seek consensus and space for cooperation.
By doing so, we will safeguard world peace and development and improve the international human rights governance system. Human rights are universal values, and respect for and protection of human rights is the common responsibility of the international community. The China-EU Dialogue on Human Rights will help promote cooperation between the two sides based on respect for human rights and jointly safeguard world peace and development.
As important members of the international community, China and Europe have a wide influence and voice in the field of human rights. Through the human rights dialogue, the two sides can put forward constructive suggestions for the improvement of the international human rights governance system and promote cooperation and progress in the international community.
Specifically, the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue can have a practical impact in the following areas:
First, it can promote the continuous improvement of laws and regulations in the field of human rights. Through dialogue, the two sides can understand each other’s laws, regulations, and practical experiences in the field of human rights, learn from each other, and promote the continuous improvement of their respective laws and regulations.
Second, it can strengthen human rights education and publicity. The China-EU Human Rights Dialogue can encourage both sides to strengthen human rights education and publicity in their respective countries, raise citizens’ awareness and literacy regarding human rights, and lay a solid foundation for promoting the cause of human rights.
Third, it can facilitate a joint response to global human rights challenges. Through dialogue, the two sides can study and discuss common human rights challenges, propose effective solutions, and jointly respond to global human rights challenges.
Challenges of the Human Rights Dialogue in the Digital Age
The challenges of the human rights dialogue in the digital age are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
First, privacy and data protection issues. Digital technology has spawned new business models, social media platforms, and payment methods, but it has also brought threats to personal privacy and data. People have difficulty fully controlling their personal information and face the risk of privacy leakage. In the field of digital payment, the popularity of virtual currencies has brought great challenges to areas such as anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing. Governments, businesses, and other organizations have increasing amounts of personal data, raising the possibility of monitoring and data abuse.
Second, algorithmic discrimination and information cocooning. Digital technology may exacerbate discrimination in society, such as racism and hate speech, leading to the rapid spread of inflammatory discrimination and violence. Social media platforms often play a key role in this regard. Algorithms may filter information according to users’ personal preferences and habits, forming an “information cocoon,” which limits users’ access to diverse information.
Third, lack of a legal framework and supervision. Although countries have approved the protection of personal data, regulatory implementation is lacking. Policymakers need to work closely with regulators to ensure that organizations comply with regulations.
Fourth, personal responsibility and cross-cultural communication issues. Users should take responsibility for their personal security in the digital age. However, many users do not know how to effectively protect their personal information and privacy. Different policies, regulations, and currencies vary between countries, and industry personnel need to maintain mechanisms that support cross-cultural communication to overcome the bottleneck of trust between different judicial systems.
Fifth, technical complexity and rapid development. The rapid development of technology in the digital age and the use of algorithms pose new challenges to the understanding and regulation of human rights protection. At present, the legal and judicial circles lack understanding of the technology, logic behind the data, algorithms, and traffic, as well as the problems arising in specific application processes. This limits the targeted and forward-looking reform of the rule of law.
Dialogue on Human Rights Promotes Mutual Learning Among Civilizations
With the principle of combining the universality of human rights with concrete realities, China has embarked on a path of human rights development that suits its national conditions. This not only reflects the uniqueness of China’s human rights cause but also provides a useful reference and inspiration for other countries and regions. Through exchanges and mutual learning, China and the EU can achieve more common ground for cooperation in the field of human rights.
First, we should always put people first and ensure that living a happy life is the greatest human right. This concept embodies the value of prioritizing people and demonstrates a deep understanding of the protection of human rights. It strives to address the most direct and realistic interests of the people, including improving living standards, protecting basic rights, and promoting all-round human development.
Additionally, we need to continuously promote social equity and justice. Fairness and justice are the cornerstones of social harmony and stability and are necessary for achieving a happy life for the people. We need to improve laws and regulations, strengthen institutional building, and promote social progress to ensure that everyone enjoys equal rights and obligations and is free from discrimination or oppression.
Furthermore, in the digital age, personal responsibility and privacy protection awareness should be emphasized. Users need to take more responsibility for their personal security. Governments must strengthen the regulation of digital platforms and businesses to ensure compliance with laws and regulations on privacy and personal information protection. Law enforcement should be enhanced to crack down on violations of these regulations.
Governments and businesses should provide greater transparency to inform users and stakeholders about how their personal data is being used and shared. Establishing a sound accountability mechanism to address the abuse of user data is essential to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of users. It is also necessary to strengthen the publicity and education of privacy protection awareness and improve public attention to privacy protection.
Furthermore, abandon the zero-sum-game way of thinking and actively participate in global human rights governance. In today’s globalized world, advocating dialogue and cooperation is of great significance in building a more just and harmonious world. To achieve universal respect and protection for human rights, countries around the world need to work together, adhering to the principles of equality, justice, and democracy, and respecting differences in cultures and values. Only through equal participation and joint decision-making by all countries can we ensure the fairness and effectiveness of global human rights governance.
Given the differences in national laws and regulations on privacy and the protection of personal information, international cooperation must be further strengthened to establish a global legal framework. This involves not only the formulation of new global regulations but also the updating and interpretation of existing international human rights laws to accommodate the development of the digital age. Policies, regulations, and cultural backgrounds vary across countries, so enhanced cross-cultural communication and international cooperation are needed to overcome trust bottlenecks between different judicial systems.
In addition, We must strengthen strategic research on human rights issues in the digital age, gaining a deep understanding of the logic and problems behind data, algorithms, traffic, and other technologies to support the formulation of effective policies and regulations. Promoting technological innovation and developing more secure and reliable digital technologies and applications will better protect human rights and privacy. Countries should also strengthen cooperation with international organizations and non-governmental organizations to jointly promote the development of global human rights governance.
Lastly, we need to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and promote the sound development of China-EU relations. The Global Civilization Initiative was first proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the High-level Dialogue between the CPC and World Political Parties on March 15, 2023. The initiative aims to promote mutual respect, understanding, and integration among different civilizations, injecting new vitality into world peace and development. We should respect the diversity of world civilizations, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promote the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, support the development of cultural industries, and provide strong support for cultural exchanges.
As one of the countries at the forefront of digital application in the world, China should play a new role in the global human rights governance system in the digital era. We need to consider how to build a new system of global human rights governance and comprehensively promote and lead new developments in human rights issues and mechanisms. China and the EU should strengthen information sharing and exchange in the field of human rights, sharing their respective experiences and practices in this cause. We will promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science, and technology through cultural events, art exhibitions, and academic exchanges.
Only through sincere dialogue, equal consultation, and pragmatic cooperation can we push China-EU relations forward and make greater contributions to world peace and prosperity.
*The author is an Associate professor at the University of Science and Technology, Beijing, China.
**The opinions in this article are the author’s own and may not represent the views of The Diplomatic Insight. The organization does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content.
