In a significant step toward bridging diplomatic and academic perspectives, over 150 officials and human rights scholars from China and various European nations gathered in Paris this past Thursday for the 2026 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights.
Themed "The Future of Human Rights Under an Evolving International Order," the seminar served as a critical forum for discussing the complexities of human rights in a shifting global landscape. Participants explored a wide range of topics, including the respective responsibilities of nations, the evolution of human rights concepts, and the promotion of international solidarity within a community with a shared future for humanity.
Tang Jianjun, secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, highlighted China's contributions to the global stage. He noted that initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative have provided new momentum for improving how human rights are governed globally. Tang urged both China and Europe to remain steadfast as advocates for dialogue and guardians of the international rule of law.
European representatives echoed the need for cooperation. Dominique Barjot, permanent secretary at the Academy of Overseas Sciences of France, emphasized that Europe, China, and the Global South can find common ground to promote sustainable development through enhanced multilateralism. Similarly, George Andreas Papandreou, the former prime minister of Greece, stressed that the challenges of the modern era are universal, asserting that no nation can tackle them in isolation.
The seminar also featured academic insights into China's specific development path. Richard Abitbol of the Institute of Administrative and Management Studies in France praised China's large-scale poverty reduction, infrastructure growth, and expanded educational access, noting that China has developed a human rights conception deeply rooted in its own history and culture.
Adding to this, Herve Azoulay, a professor at the Silk Road Business School in France, argued that human rights discussions must be contextualized, taking into account a country's unique history and level of development. He observed that China's recent achievements demonstrate a clear shift toward people-centered development.
Established in 2015, the China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights continues to be a vital platform for in-depth exchange. This year's event was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Academy of Overseas Sciences of France, with support from various prestigious institutions across China, France, the Czech Republic, and Greece.
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Chinese, European scholars discuss human rights challenges in Paris
cgtn.com
