Palais des Nations, 11 February 2009

Mr. President,

Fellow Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, On behalf of the Chinese delegation, including representatives from the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR, I wish to thank H.E. Ambassador Achamkulangare Gopinathan for his report, made on behalf of the three rapporteurs, on the first UPR review on China. I would also like to thank the Secretariat of the Council for its technical support during the preparation of the report.

Over the past two days, the three rapporteurs prepared the report with the principle of independence, fairness and transparency. I wish to pay tribute to your dedication and hard work.

In accordance with the Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, the Chinese delegation is involved in the composition of the report. We treat the comments from different countries in a realistic manner and the recommendations in an open and candid spirit. We have accepted the feasible recommendations that suit China's realities, and plan to earnestly implement them in future. As for those infeasible recommendations not suitable for the national conditions in China, we have expressed our positions frankly. There are some other recommendations which we need to study further, and will report our positions upon approval of the working group report at the Council's plenary session.

The Chinese delegation believes that the report presented by the three rapporteurs today is objective and balanced, giving a full account of the review on China conducted by the Working Group. They have abided by the institution-building principles and the practices of the Working Group, laying a good foundation for the adoption by the Working Group and the plenary session of the Council.

Mr. President,

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. After 60 years of indomitable fighting, China is witnessing the emancipation of thought, enlightening in politics, development in economy, harmony of society, progress in sciences, and blossoming in art. Looking back at the extraordinary experience in the past six decades, what we feel strongest is that we must find models of development and democracy that suit China's national conditions, and that we should rely on our own arduous efforts while learning from other countries' useful experiences.

We are proud of what we have achieved, and we are also clearly aware of the future difficulties and challenges. The Chinese Government will continue to adhere to the Scientific Outlook on Development, an approach that places people first, and earnestly implement the constitutional principles of the rule of law and safeguarding human rights. I am confident that when China receives its next review four years later, the world will see a country with more prosperous economy, higher level of democracy, better legal system and more harmonious society where people live a happier life.

Finally, Mr. President, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, I wish to once again thank you for your excellent leadership, the three rapporteurs for their outstanding work, the Secretariat staff and the interpreters for their professionalism, and especially the active participation of all the delegates.

Thank you, Mr. President.