China, Latin America and Caribbean states launch 1st roundtable on human rights

​​​​​​​By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Officials from China and Latin America huddled in Brazil to discuss cooperation on human rights, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported Wednesday.

More than 120 senior officials, experts and scholars attended the first institutional exchange and discussion on human rights at the first China-Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) States roundtable Tuesday in Rio.

China and the LAC share an understanding of human rights but follow different paths to the concept, observed Padma Choling, president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.

He suggested that China and LAC countries should share common security concepts and continue to work together to create a “peaceful” environment for human rights. Choling said the two sides should “seek shared development, jointly explore an inclusive human rights path and uphold the concept of the coexistence of civilizations. It is essential to respect and advocate diverse human rights concepts.”

Beijing’s Ambassador to Brazil, Zhu Qingqiao, said China and Latin America shoulder common responsibilities in achieving “development and revitalization and improving people's well-being despite differences in historical processes, social systems and cultural traditions.”

He added that both sides “must” continue to facilitate exchanges and cooperation in human rights.

Gustavo Pacheco Villar, president of the Andean Parliament, said China and LAC countries have made significant contributions to human rights.

The two sides, he added, should formulate corresponding policies to address present-day challenges involving war, international trade and food security.​​​​​​​