Scholars and policymakers from China and African nations gathered in Jinhua on December 10, 2025, to strengthen dialogue on global human rights governance during a landmark academic seminar. The event at Zhejiang Normal University coincided with World Human Rights Day observations, bringing together nearly 100 experts to address pressing international challenges.
Key discussions focused on implementing China's four major global initiatives within the human rights context and enhancing practical cooperation between Chinese and African institutions. Zhang Jianzhen, vice president of the host university, emphasized that "protection of human rights remains the common aspiration of all nations and the foundation for building a shared human future."
The seminar marked two significant institutional developments: the establishment of the China-Africa Human Rights Research Think-Tank Cooperation Network and the inauguration of a dedicated research center at the university's Institute of African Studies. Shen Yongxiang from the China Society for Human Rights Studies described these initiatives as crucial platforms for producing "forward-looking, constructive research" that amplifies Sino-African collaboration in sustainable development and rights protection.
Participants examined case studies of successful poverty alleviation programs and digital inclusion strategies, with several African scholars presenting comparative analyses of regional human rights frameworks. The outcomes are expected to inform policy recommendations for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meetings scheduled for early 2026.
