You Nan
In the new era, the development of the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue reflects the joint efforts and positive willingness of both sides to advance the global human rights cause. With the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Economic Community in 1975, China-EU relations began to progress rapidly. Since then, China-EU relations have deepened, forming all-round, multi-tiered, and wide-ranging exchanges and cooperation.
This development trend is reflected on many levels, including politics, economy, culture, and other fields. Especially in the field of human rights, exchanges and dialogue between China and the EU have become increasingly frequent and in-depth. By strengthening communication and exchanges with Europe, China has introduced its people-centered view and human rights practices and emphasized the historic achievements and future development of China’s human rights cause.
Europe has also shown a positive attitude and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in multilateral human rights work. The content of the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue has been continuously enriched. During the dialogue, China comprehensively elaborated on its path, philosophy, and achievements in human rights development, as well as its position on global human rights governance. At the same time, China lodged solemn representations against some China-related reports issued by the EU, stressing that Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong affairs, and judicial cases are purely China’s internal affairs and free from external interference.
The EU side has also enhanced its understanding of China through dialogue and expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in multilateral human rights work. The form of China-EU human rights dialogue is also constantly innovating. In addition to traditional diplomatic talks and symposiums, field visits and exchanges have been added to make the dialogue more in-depth and specific.
In recent years, China and Europe have witnessed closer exchanges and cooperation in the field of human rights. For example, the success of the 2023 China-EU Seminar on Human Rights demonstrates the common aspiration and efforts of both sides in promoting the development of human rights. Participants attending the meeting spoke highly of the great achievements China has made in the cause of human rights and affirmed China’s important contribution to the development and progress of human rights in the world.
To sum up, the development of exchanges and mutual learning between China and the EU in human rights is the result of the joint efforts of both sides. It is also an example of active exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations in the era of globalization. Through continuous exchanges and cooperation, China and the EU will reach more consensus and progress in the field of human rights.
Human Rights Ideals in Chinese and Western Traditional Cultures
The resources of human rights thought in traditional Chinese culture include Confucianism. Confucianism, with concepts such as “be kind to others” and “do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you,” emphasizes harmony and respect between people, reflecting basic respect and care for others.
The idea of “ritual rule” restricts the behavior of nobles and kings through etiquette and moral norms, ensuring the correct use of power and the protection of the basic rights of the people. The concept of “abdication” reflects the peaceful and orderly transfer of power, ensuring that the interests of the people are not harmed and embodying moral and cultural values in the change of power.
Additionally, in terms of the political system, although the “enfeoffment system” has its limitations, it promotes political decentralization and democratization to a certain extent, reflecting the idea of power decentralization and checks and balances. As a democratic practice based on the principle of equality, the “public discussion system” provided a mechanism for ancient China to handle disputes and resolve conflicts, helping to maintain social stability and justice.
The resources of human rights philosophy in Western traditional culture include the idea of natural law. It is advocated that everyone is equal in the natural state, and everyone enjoys the right to life, freedom, equality, and property in the sense of being human, namely “natural human rights.” This concept emphasizes the rights that people should enjoy as “people” and believes that this enjoyment is based on subject equality.
In addition, there is the concept of the universality of human rights. The Western view of human rights emphasizes the universality of human rights, that is, everyone enjoys equal human rights regardless of their nationality, political status, family background, property status, religious belief, and cultural level. This concept reflects the universal respect for and protection of human rights and promotes the development of the cause of human rights. To sum up, the human rights thought resources in Chinese and Western traditional culture have their own characteristics.
China focuses on harmony and respect between people, the correct use of power, and the protection of the basic rights of the people, while the West emphasizes equality for all, natural human rights, and the universality of human rights. These ideological resources have provided an important theoretical basis and cultural support for the development of human rights in modern society.
China-EU human rights discussion
China and the EU have extensive and in-depth cooperation and exchanges, which are not only reflected in the economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and other fields, but also show great potential and value in the field of human rights.
First, cultural exchanges between China and the EU are an important way to enhance mutual understanding. Through various forms of cultural exchanges, such as art, education, and media, the two sides can gain a deeper understanding of each other’s history, traditions, and values, thereby eliminating misunderstandings and prejudices, and forming respect and recognition for each other. Such mutual respect and understanding are important bases for human rights dialogue and cooperation.
Second, China-EU cooperation in the field of science and technology has also provided new impetus for the development of the human rights cause. With the rapid development of science and technology, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data have provided powerful tools for monitoring and protecting human rights. China and the EU can jointly develop and promote these technologies to improve the efficiency and precision of human rights protection, enabling more people to enjoy the benefits of scientific and technological progress.
In addition, the complementarity between China and Europe in the economic field has also brought tangible benefits to both sides. Through economic cooperation, such as trade and investment, the two sides can promote economic development and social progress, thus creating better material conditions for the protection of human rights. At the same time, economic cooperation can also promote social stability and harmony, reduce conflicts and contradictions, and thus reduce the risk of human rights violations.
Under the framework of the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue and cooperation, the two sides can also engage in in-depth exchanges and discussions on the latest developments and issues in the field of human rights. By sharing experiences, learning from them, and jointly formulating and implementing relevant policies and standards, China and Europe can work together to advance the progress and development of the global human rights cause.
Exchanges and mutual learning on human rights issues
Since the first China-EU Human Rights Dialogue in 1995, China and Europe have undergone a process of stimulating and learning from each other in the development of human rights thinking. This has not only expanded their respective human rights perspectives but also helped form more consensus on human rights. China and Europe are increasingly diversifying their ways of exchange and mutual learning on human rights issues.
First, we should learn from each other with an open attitude and strengthen dialogue and cooperation. China and Europe can enhance bilateral dialogue and exchanges in the field of human rights through seminars, exchange meetings, and other activities. This will help to improve mutual understanding and trust and promote bilateral cooperation on human rights protection.
Second, we need to tolerate each other with a broad mind and share experiences and practices. China and Europe have accumulated rich experience and practices in advancing human rights. The two sides can actively share their respective successful practices in human rights protection, promotion, and development, learn from each other, and jointly advance the global human rights cause.
Third, learn from each other and carry out joint research. Given the current problems and challenges in the international human rights field, China and Europe can conduct joint studies and explore solutions together. Collaborative research can deepen our understanding of human rights issues and provide useful references for policy formulation and practice on both sides.
Fourth, promote cultural exchanges and understanding. Cultural diversity is a crucial factor in advancing human rights. As regions with rich histories and vibrant cultures, China and Europe can enhance their mutual recognition and respect by promoting cultural exchanges and understanding, thereby fostering the exchange and integration of human rights concepts.
In short, establishing more dialogue platforms, exchanges, and mutual learning on human rights issues requires joint efforts from both sides. This will set a model for global human rights exchanges and contribute to the development of the global human rights cause.
*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.
