On 30 September 2026, H.E. Mr. JIA Guide, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland, delivered a joint statement entitled “Improving International Human Rights Governance”, on behalf of 93 countries at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, calling for the building of a just, equitable and inclusive global human rights governance system guided by the Global Governance Initiative.

Ambassador Jia Guide noted that the international landscape is undergoing profound changes amid a complex and turbulent environment, while global human rights governance is facing profound adjustments. China puts forward four proposals:

First, adopt a people-centered approach. It is up to the people of each country to assess and improve their own human rights situation, so as to stay true to the original purpose of human rights governance and meet the people’s needs.

Second, uphold sovereign equality. All countries should participate, make decisions and benefit on an equal footing. Greater attention should be paid to the voices of the Global South. We advocate fairness, objectivity and non-selectivity, and call for dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect.

Third, uphold fairness and justice. We oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights, take a holistic approach to all categories of human rights, advance human rights reform in a prudent manner, and support multilateral human rights institutions and experts in discharging their mandates objectively and impartially.

Fourth, uphold the international rule of law. We champion the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, ensure the equal and consistent application of international law and international rules, and oppose double standards, interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of human rights, and impose own standards on others.

Since President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative one year ago, it has received support and positive responses from numerous countries and international organizations. Building on the platform of the “Group of Friends of Global Governance” in Geneva, this joint statement makes a constructive contribution to advancing the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative in the field of human rights.