China endeavors to improve human rights

Editor's note: Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, delivered a speech at the "Assessment Meeting of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010)" in Beijing on Tuesday. Following is the full text of the speech:

With the approval of the central government, today we are holding the Assessment Meeting of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010) here to sum up the implementation of the Action Plan. More than 200 people are present at today's meeting, including persons in charge of 53 relevant departments and institutions of central state organs, and human rights experts and grassroots representatives from mass organizations, NGOs, institutions of higher learning and research institutions. First of all, on behalf of the International Communications Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Information Office of the State Council and the joint meeting mechanism for the National Human Rights Action Plan, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to government departments and institutions at various levels and the general public for their contributions to the implementation of the Action Plan.

In April 2009, after receiving approval from the State Council, the Information Office of the State Council published the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010). It is China's first national plan on the theme of human rights, and serves as a policy document of the current stage for advancing China's human rights in a comprehensive way. It is an important move to implement the constitutional principle of respecting and safeguarding human rights, and to promote sustainable development and social harmony. It is also a solemn commitment to the world made by the Chinese government on human rights. Since the Action Plan was promulgated, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the relevant departments of the central government and State organs, and local governments at all levels nationwide have incorporated the Action Plan into their work and adopted effective measures to implement it based on the principle of "each performing its own functions and being responsible for its work". Enterprises and institutions, mass organizations, NGOs, media agencies, academic and research institutions and the general public have also been actively involved in the publicity and implementation of the Action Plan, and guaranteed the fulfillment of all targets and tasks set by the Action Plan.