In this file photo taken on July 9, 2019,
Chen Xu, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), speaks at a side-event during the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), co-sponsored by UNOG's African Group and the Permanent Mission of China, in Geneva, Switzerland. ( XU JINQUAN /XINHUA)
GENEVA – Speaking on behalf of a group of countries on the topic of democracy and human rights, a Chinese envoy on Monday stressed that there is no set model of democracy, and what is true democracy should not be defined by a handful of countries.
Delivering a joint statement at the 48th session of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva, said that peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom represent the shared values of humanity.
Ambassador Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva, stressed that the key to true democracy is whether it fits the particular situation in a country, whether it represents the will of the people, safeguards people's interests and enjoys their support, and whether it brings about political stability, social progress and well-being for the people
ALSO READ: 65 countries oppose interference in China's affairs
He stressed that the key to true democracy is whether it fits the particular situation in a country, whether it represents the will of the people, safeguards people's interests and enjoys their support, and whether it brings about political stability, social progress and well-being for the people.
"We are concerned about double or even multiple standards that are applied to democracy, by which democracy is used as a tool to impose one's values and political model on others," Chen said.
"To contain others and interfere in their internal affairs under the pretext of democracy is the very opposite of democracy and will only bring chaos and turmoil, and undermine the fundamental interests of people concerned around the world," he added.
The Chinese envoy told the Council that multi-polarization and democratization of international relations represent the trend of the times.
Countries should practice true multilateralism, enhance consultations and cooperation, and advance peace and development, so that "human rights could be better promoted and protected, rather than drawing lines between ideologies and creating division and confrontation as a result," he said.
"We call on all states to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to cope with global challenges and create a better future," he concluded.
READ MORE: China's economic progress, stability benefiting the world