China's record on human rights under UN scrutiny for first time since Xi Jinping came to power
Government's expanding crackdown on dissent put in the international spotlight for the first time since Xi became president almost a year ago
China defended its human rights record to the United Nations yesterday, insisting it has undertaken sweeping reforms, as Tibetan activists said more must be done to hold Beijing to account.
Yesterday's session in Geneva was the first time that Beijing's human rights record under President Xi Jinping had come under international scrutiny.
Special envoy Wu Hailong told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that China had lived up to a pledge made in 2009 when it was last under scrutiny by the watchdog.
"The Chinese government made a solemn commitment when China undergoes the next review, the world will see a China with a more prosperous economy, improved democracy and the rule of law, a more harmonious society and people living in greater happiness," Wu said.
In 2009, the council had urged China to make more efforts in areas including poverty reduction, judicial reforms and ethnic minority rights.
"Four years have passed, and I want to tell you that the above recommendations either have been implemented or are being carried out, and our commitment has been basically fulfilled," Wu said. All UN member states are meant to undergo similar reviews every four years.