The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, described the MOU as "a milestone in China's development of its human rights programs with reference to the international human rights standards" and "a significant move made by China."

She said that the Chinese government has signed two key international human rights conventions and has made considerable progress in promoting economic, social and cultural rights since 1997.

Robinson made the remark to the media after signing the MOU on the Development and Implementation of Human Rights Technical Cooperation Programs with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya.

Under the MOU, China and the UN agency will carry out cooperative projects in the coming two years in the areas of judicial administration, human rights education, legal affairs, the right of development and economic, social and cultural rights.

He expressed the hope that the implementation of the projects could enhance mutual understanding between China and the international community in these fields.

Wang said China has always set great store by the promotion and protection of human rights.

"We will continue to make efforts to enhance human rights in the process of promoting modernization and developing democracy and the legal system," he added.

Meanwhile, the vice foreign minister pointed out that China maintains that international cooperation in human rights should be conducted through dialogue and exchanges.

In this regard, he said, China would positively comment on the roles played by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the high commissioner.

He said the signing of the MOU marks a new beginning of the cooperation between China and the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

(People’s Daily 11/20/2000)