Three international conferences held in China this month highlighted the country’s intention to play a more active role in global affairs. A gathering of political groups from 120 nations in Beijing was followed by an international internet conference in Wuzhen. Most recently, a meeting on human rights drew 300 participants from more than 50 nations. Each conference provided a platform for China to promote its own ideas, while stressing that the intention was to further better understanding between nations rather than impose its own views on others. The human rights gathering was attended mostly by delegates from developing countries, as well as from the United Nations, the World Bank and the World Health Organisation. But there was no representation from NGOs that have been sharply critical of aspects of China’s human rights record, from curbs on free speech, to the detention of defence lawyers, and restrictions on religious freedom.