Chinese twist to universal human rights
The Statesman|September 08, 2023
For more than three decades, China has struggled to contain criticism of its human rights record. It faced a storm of outrage over the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and condemnation of its mass incarceration of Muslim Uyghurs in recent years. Each time, the Chinese government has had to deal with the diplomatic fallout of its own repression.
GEOFFREY ROBERTS
Chinese twist to universal human rights

To deflect this criticism, Chinese diplomats and propagandists have promulgated a series of different claims.

On the one hand, they have tried to rally developing countries behind the idea that the "right to subsistence" trumps concerns over other human rights.

Other times, the government has justified its dictatorship as an expression of traditional Chinese "Confucian values". These emphasise the importance of duty and social harmony over individual rights.

Now, however, the government has formed a coherent ideological strategy in response to this criticism.

China is seeking not merely to resist but to dismantle a foundational idea of the post-Cold War international order - the universality of human rights.

The government's new strategy is called the "Global Civilisation Initiative". And it's become a major weapon in the Chinese party-state's foreign propaganda arsenal.

The initiative was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March. It complements two previously announced (and similarly named) diplomatic tools: the Global Development Initiative and Global or more than three decades, China has struggled to contain criticism of its human rights record. It faced a storm of outrage over the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and condemnation of its mass incarceration of Muslim Uyghurs in recent years. Each time, the Chinese government has had to deal with the diplomatic fallout of its own repression.

To deflect this criticism, Chinese diplomats and propagandists have promulgated a series of different claims.

On the one hand, they have tried to rally developing countries behind the idea that the "right to subsistence" trumps concerns over other human rights.

Other times, the government has justified its dictatorship as an expression of traditional Chinese "Confucian values". These emphasise the importance of duty and social harmony over individual rights.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 08, 2023 من The Statesman.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 08, 2023 من The Statesman.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE STATESMAN مشاهدة الكل
Rahul, Priyanka and Kharge to campaign for MVA in Maharashtra next week
The Statesman

Rahul, Priyanka and Kharge to campaign for MVA in Maharashtra next week

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, will campaign for the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra next week, a top party leader said here on Thursday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
The Statesman

ENTIRE FOREST STAFF DROWNED

THE Punjab Government has issued a lengthy communique giving details of damage done by the Jumna floods.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
The Statesman

Lawmakers snooze as digital dangers escalate among our youth

The Covid-19 pandemic’s forced transition to online education has inadvertently exposed Bhu tan’s children to unprecedented digital risks, highlighting a critical gap in our legal framework.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024
The Statesman

At the Crossroads

Moldova's recent presidential election, which saw Maia Sandu narrowly re-elected, holds significant implications for the country's democratic journey and European ambitions.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024
The Statesman

'Abhishek matured as politician'

Echoing the hints in yesterday’s post by TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee becoming the next chief minister of West Bengal, another party leader, Kalyan Banerjee today said that the Diamond Harbour MP has all the qualities and has matured as a politician over the years.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
hospital Jhargram doctor found dead in hotel room
The Statesman

hospital Jhargram doctor found dead in hotel room

Mystery shrouds death of a doctor attached with Jhargram Hospital, who along with other medics have been demanding justice for the brutal rape-murder trainee doctor at R G Kar.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
The Statesman

Tablet trouble: 550 students from 62 East Burdwan schools affected

Cyber police investigations into the recent tablet issue revealed several flaws from the students’ end as well as negligence by some schools.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
CM orders inquiry into error in tablet money transfers
The Statesman

CM orders inquiry into error in tablet money transfers

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is believed to have ordered an inquiry into the alleged diversion of government money meant for student tablets to other accounts, sources at Nabanna claimed.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024
Injury concerns for Australia's pace attack ahead of BGT series
The Statesman

Injury concerns for Australia's pace attack ahead of BGT series

Having thrown his hat into the ring as a viable pace bowling option for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy after he wreaked havoc against the India A team on Thursday, Michael Neser sustained a hamstring injury on the back of his fiery new ball spell in Melbourne.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 08, 2024
The Statesman

Grand celebrations on menu as Indian hockey's fairytale enters centenary year

It was 99 years ago, on November 7, 1925, when a national body for hockey was formed in Gwalior, and as Indian hockey approaches the 100th year, Hockey India on Thursday announced a year-long celebration, marked by the relaunch of the Hockey India League (HIL) after a seven-year pause and the launch of a Women's HIL.

time-read
1 min  |
November 08, 2024