The Chinese government published a white paper on Thursday elaborating on how its achievement of “all-round moderate prosperity,” or xiaokang, in July, has resulted in significant progress in ensuring universal human rights in the country.
The paper, titled “Moderate Prosperity in All Respects: Another Milestone Achieved in China’s Human Rights,” was released by the State Council Information Office. According to state-owned media house Global Times, the paper introduces China’s practices and achievements “in realising moderate prosperity and advancing human rights: ending extreme poverty and securing the right to an adequate standard of living, protecting civil and political rights with the law and governance, and promoting social equality and protecting the rights of disadvantaged groups.”
“China’s approach and experience have provided a distinctive path forward for human progress,” the white paper reads. It also went on to say that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people “completed the historic transformation from poverty to secure access to food and clothing, to a decent life, and finally to moderate prosperity.”
In addition, the paper states that “the goal of achieving moderate prosperity, articulated by China as it started reform and opening up some four decades ago, demonstrated the country’s concern for improving the people’s wellbeing and commitment to promoting human rights.”
According to the document, moderate prosperity is evident in all respects: “a buoyant economy, political democracy, a flourishing culture, social equity, and healthy ecosystems; balanced development between urban and rural areas to the benefit of all the people; and high respect for and comprehensive protection of human rights.”
It also explored other topics, including “ending extreme poverty and securing the people’s right to an adequate standard of living, putting life above all else in fighting COVID-19, ensuring equitable and accessible health services, improving the environment, protecting civil and political rights, and promoting social equity.”
The white paper further noted that “poverty is the biggest obstacle to human rights,” but that China had won the toughest battle in human history by successfully eliminating extreme poverty. The document highlighted that by the end of 2020, China’s poverty threshold, all of the 99 million rural poor, had defeated poverty.
The Global Times report cited unnamed “analysts” claiming that the paper is a “slap in the face” of the United States (US) and the West, which have been consistent in their attacks on China’s human rights issues.
China Issues White Paper Linking Prosperity to Improved Human Rights
China has published a white paper on how its achievement of “all-around moderate prosperity” has boosted universal human rights in the country.
August 13, 2021
SOURCE: AP, MARK SCHIEFELBEIN