Joint Development, Shared Human Rights: Chongqing’s Human Rights Practices Through the Forum on Global Human Rights Governance

Joint Development, Shared Human Rights: Chongqing's Human Rights Practices Through the Forum on Global Human Rights Governance | Let’s Meet

In 1986, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development, formally establishing the right to development as an inalienable human right. Forty years later, more than 400 Chinese and foreign guests from over 100 countries and international organizations have gathered in Beijing to deliberate on the core philosophy of "promoting human rights through development."

Prior to the official opening of the forum, human rights experts and officials from 20 countries and international organizations—including Peru, Nepal, Argentina, and the African Union—were invited to participate in the "Human Rights Action in China·2026" thematic tour hosted by the State Council Information Office. Walking through Chongqing's streets, neighborhoods, and green landscapes, they sought China’s answers to the question: "What are human rights?" Following their field visits, the experts came to deeply appreciate that in China, " a happy life for all is the biggest human right."

Human Rights Action in China·2026 Chongqing Tour

During this tour of Chongqing by officials and experts from 20 countries and international organizations, the practical outcomes of urban renewal, environmental protection, and grassroots governance took center stage. In the Minzhucun Community of Jiulongpo District, the delegation observed how an aging neighborhood underwent modernization and renewal while successfully preserving its traditional Chinese culture and heritage.

The delegation then traveled to the Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park and Mine Cafe in Liangping District to conduct field research on a green development model that achieves a win-win scenario for both ecological conservation and economic growth. In Fuling District, the experts not only experienced practical traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment and tasted unique Fuling zhacai coffee, but also gained a deeper understanding of the local innovative model that integrates democratic governance into cooperatives to safeguard the right to development for all community members. Through these visits, they gained a comprehensive and objective view of the real-life progress of China’s human rights cause.

Chongqing's Intelligent Manufacturing Warms Hearts, Wins Praise from International Human Rights Experts

At the forum venue in Beijing, the themed exhibition "Joint Development, Shared Human Rights" served as a vital supporting event and attracted widespread attention. The Chongqing exhibition area, featuring innovative products that combine urban warmth with humanistic care, became the focal point of the event. The exhibition showcased cultural and creative products that promote Chongqing's identity as the "The Eagle City," a braille display device designed to lower reading barriers for the visually impaired, and "Sirius", a small robotic dog capable of active emotional interaction.

International guests highly praised the display, noting that these exhibits effectively convey human warmth through technology and creativity. They remarked that the showcase tangibly proves that human rights in China do not stop at the theoretical level, but are actively implemented through vivid practices across various sectors, including poverty reduction and daily safety security.

Chongqing Representatives Share Their Views on “Happiness” and “Equality”

During the forum, three grassroots representatives from Chongqing took the stage to share authentic and vivid stories of grassroots human rights governance with the world.

Hu Chengliang, Executive Secretary-General of the Chongqing Luhai International Communication Community Foundation, introduced the achievements of "Chongqing Digital Public Welfare" in supporting public welfare application development and digital talent empowerment, emphasizing that public welfare in the AI era should bridge the "digital divide" through technology inclusion to serve human dignity.

Wu Chengli, Party Secretary and Director of the Residents' Committee of Minzhucun Community, explained how her community utilizes a "Four-Party Council" to allow residents and business owners to collectively deliberate on community matters, thereby putting the concept of "the people are the masters" into practice.

Peng Linqian, Chairperson of Zhilong Social Work Service Center in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, shared insights based on her personal growth and employment experiences as a woman with hearing loss. She advocated for combining AI technology to build employment support platforms for college students with disabilities and called for the elimination of workplace discrimination, demonstrating a firm commitment to helping young people with disabilities participate equally in the digital economy and achieve social value.