Chinese delegation to attend first meeting of UN Human Rights Council

A Chinese delegation will attend the first meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held in Geneva from June 19 to 30, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tuesday.

"China attaches great importance to the meeting," said Jiang Yu, noting that Sha Zukang, top Chinese diplomat to the UN office in Geneva, will head the Chinese delegation and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will address the meeting.

China will put forward its viewpoints on the future development of the newly-established council and participate in discussions of all topics in a positive and constructive manner, said Jiang.

"We are ready to make joint efforts with all parties to make the meeting a success and a good starting point for the council," Jiang added.

The UN General Assembly in May elected the 47 members of the Human Rights Council to replace the much criticized and defunct Human Rights Commission. China was elected to the council with 146 votes.

The first meeting will outline the operation rules of the council and discuss problems on the international human rights issue, said Jiang.

Jiang urged all parties concerned to take pragmatic action to ensure the role of the council in improving and protecting the human rights and to avoid taking the old road of political confrontation and double standards.

Source: Xinhua