Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, stated, "Democracy is interpreted differently by many, but to me, democracy means peace, well-being, and equality for our people." Under the wise leadership of the head of state, Uzbekistan prioritizes the interests of its people, dedicating significant attention to the protection and promotion of human rights.

The newly revised Constitution incorporates provisions aimed at safeguarding human rights, and the country has adopted its first National Strategy on Human Rights. The quality of life in Uzbekistan has notably improved, significant progress has been made in protecting the rights of women, children, and people with disabilities, and the national system for human rights protection continues to evolve.

This year, Uzbekistan's representative was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, an achievement that underscores international recognition of the country’s advancements in this sphere.

Allow me to briefly outline developments in the field of human rights in China. Since ancient times, Chinese civilization has been rooted in the principles of serving the people and respecting human rights. Over 3,000 years ago, the concept of “The people are the foundation of the country. If the foundation is strong, the country will be at peace” was articulated in the Chinese historical text Shang Shu. The great Chinese thinker Mencius emphasized, "The people come first, the state second, and the ruler last."

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the country has pursued a path of human rights development tailored to its national realities, achieving remarkable historical milestones. Guided by the principle of prioritizing the people's interests, President Xi Jinping has declared, “A happy life for the people is the most important human right.” China has eradicated extreme poverty, lifting nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty and contributing more than 70% of the global reduction in poverty. The country has established the world’s largest systems of compulsory education, social security, and healthcare, with life expectancy rising from 35 years at the time of its founding to 78.6 years today. The overall sense of happiness and satisfaction among the Chinese population has grown significantly.

China is committed to equality in human rights, ensuring the lawful rights of ethnic minorities and the freedom of religious belief. Social protection for people with disabilities is being enhanced, while laws safeguarding women’s rights and long-term development programs for women and children are advancing their comprehensive development and gender equality. China is also promoting a socialist democracy, which goes beyond electoral processes, encompassing a “whole-process people’s democracy” that empowers citizens to actively shape the nation’s future.

China actively participates in global human rights governance, working through the UN Human Rights Council to protect the rights and interests of developing countries and uphold international justice. It advocates for respect for diverse approaches to human rights, dialogue based on mutual respect, and opposes the politicization of human rights issues, double standards, and using such issues as a pretext to interfere in other nations’ internal affairs.

For instance, Xinjiang, a multiethnic and multicultural region of China, has achieved rapid economic and social development, significant poverty alleviation, and strengthened unity and harmony among its people. The region’s anti-terrorism efforts have also yielded substantial results. Today, Xinjiang is a peaceful and thriving area, where all ethnic groups work together for a better future. It is increasingly becoming a hub for free trade zones and a gateway for expanding China’s interaction with Central Asia.

Xinjiang is also a leading cotton producer, renowned for its high-quality long-staple cotton. However, some countries have fabricated allegations of “forced labor” in Xinjiang, aiming to discourage others from using its cotton. In reality, over 85% of Xinjiang's cotton is harvested mechanically, making such claims baseless. These unfounded accusations reveal attempts to undermine Xinjiang's development and impede China’s progress.

Uzbekistan and China share similar positions on human rights and closely collaborate in this field. Both nations pursue human rights development paths aligned with their national realities, uphold the principle that the state of human rights should be assessed by its citizens, and oppose the politicization and double standards in human rights matters. They actively support each other within the UN and other multilateral platforms, with their achievements and contributions to global human rights governance being widely recognized.

In its pursuit of modernization and national rejuvenation, China strives to ensure that the benefits of development are equitably shared, continuously enhancing human rights protection and fostering the holistic development of individuals.

We are ready to work with Uzbekistan to uphold shared human values such as peace, development, justice, equality, democracy, and freedom. Through strengthening exchange and mutual learning, we aim to jointly promote the healthy development of human rights worldwide.

Yu Jun, Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan