A senior Chinese official said in Beijing on Tuesday that the priorities in human rights cooperation should be given to promotion of economic, social and cultural rights and the rights to development.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 13th annual workshop on the framework on regional cooperation for promotion and protection of human rights in the Asia-Pacific region.

"As the Asia-Pacific region is at a crucial historical juncture in its development, its human rights cause is presented with major opportunities," Tang said.

He said that such cooperation should conform to the principles of equality and mutual respect, uphold precious cultural heritages and values in this region and learn from the other regions.

Such cooperation should also be carried out "gradually and by consensus", he said, noting that it should be based on the specific situation of the Asia-Pacific region.

After the opening ceremony, Tang told UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour that China is building a well-off society in an all-round way and the government takes the people's interest as a priority.

"China is striving to establish a harmonious socialist society... We are confident that the Chinese people will further enjoy all kinds of human rights," he said.

China will play a constructive role in the reform of the UN human rights agencies, Tang said, noting such reform should focus on the concerns of developing countries and resolve development problems.

Delegates from governments of 37 countries in Asia-Pacific region, UN agencies and inter-governmental organizations, human rights organizations, non-governmental organizations and diplomats were present at the meeting.

Source: Xinhua