China calls for promoting equality, protection of persons in vulnerable situations

A Palestinian girl looks out from her house at a poor neighborhood in southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Feb. 10, 2020.(Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequality, gravely affecting the economy, society, and people's livelihood in many countries, said Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva. "In order to build back better, efforts should be made to strengthen social protection systems, protect rights regarding education, health, adequate housing, decent work, among others," he said.

GENEVA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China and other like-minded countries on Thursday highlighted the importance of equality and the protection of vulnerable persons, noting that inequality is a major challenge faced by the international community.

Delivering a joint statement at the ongoing 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequality, gravely affecting the economy, society, and people's livelihood in many countries.

A girl creates a wall painting during the 3rd International Public Art Festival in Salt River near Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb. 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Amando Herdade)

Noting that progress gained in implementing 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda risks being reversed, he said that over 100 million people may fall into poverty again, and the poor and persons in vulnerable situations are hardest hit.

"We support the eradication of inequality be listed as a priority on the UN agenda and call on the Human Rights Council and the UN rights agency to play an active role in this regard," he said.

A person living with a disability, waits for customers at his workstation in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, April 14, 2021. (Photo by Chrispinus Omar/Xinhua)

International human rights mechanisms should attach greater importance to economic, social, and cultural rights as well as the right to development, Chen stressed, calling for joint work with other UN agencies to promote the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and step up efforts to eradicate poverty so as to realize people-centered development.

"In order to build back better, efforts should be made to strengthen social protection systems, protect rights regarding education, health, adequate housing, decent work, among others," he said.