Blanco, Permanent Ambassador of the International Youth Organization to the United Nations: China's view of human rights is a more comprehensive view of human rights

Source: Global Times-Global Network

Daniel · Del Valle Blanco, Permanent Ambassador of the International Youth Organization to the United Nations, and his entourage were recently invited to visit China. Blanco, who is also the Chairman of UN-Habitat's Youth Advisory Board, visited a number of institutions and organizations in China and exchanged views with Chinese youth on issues such as the protection of the rights and interests of young people in China. Blanco recently gave a written interview to the Global Times reporter about his visit to China and his views on the development of human rights in Chinese. He believes that China's view of human rights is a more comprehensive view of human rights, and what he saw and heard during his visit to China has made him more aware that true human rights are not only about political declarations, but also about making people's daily lives better.

Global Times: What is your overall impression of China during your visit?

Blanco: During my recent visit, I was impressed by China's rich culture, advanced infrastructure, and vibrant people. Tradition and modernity are intertwined here, where history and future innovation coexist in harmony.

During my stays in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Xiamen, I had frank and sincere exchanges with young people. Through these interactions, I saw the deep enthusiasm and forward-looking perspective that is in the bones of the younger generation in China. Their insights and ambitions have given us a collective drive for sustainable development and technological progress, which has made me realize that China is a country that actively nurtures young people to lead the future.

Global Times: What is your impression on young people in China? Why do you think it's important to engage with young people?

Blanco: The young Chinese I met showed an extraordinary sense of purpose and a deep understanding of global issues, especially in the areas of technology, environmental protection, and human rights. Their dynamism and creativity are evident in their desire to innovate and their constant pursuit of excellence. This is evident in their proactivity in tackling challenges and their willingness to adopt new technologies and ideas to achieve sustainable development.

Communication with young people is essential because they bring innovative solutions and fresh energy, which is essential to tackle global challenges and drive social progress. Their dynamism and ambition show us the importance of including the perspective of adolescents in shaping the future.

Global Times: Do you have any suggestions for promoting youth exchanges between countries?

Blanco: I think we should do more to support young people to participate in transnational projects to tackle global challenges together and promote digital interactive platforms. This not only promotes mutual understanding, but also lays the groundwork for future cooperation.

It is essential to recognize that different countries are at different stages of development and have unique cultures and traditions. Through communication, we make young people aware of these differences, which are the foundation for building a harmonious world. In addition, nurturing young people to believe from an early age that disputes and problems can be resolved through dialogue will help them develop the capacity to resolve conflicts peacefully and contribute to global peace and stability.

Global Times: China stresses that it will unswervingly follow the path of Chinese human rights development and that a happy life is the people's greatest human right. What do you think of China's view of human rights?

Blanco: China's view of human rights is more focused on happiness and development, and it provides a broader perspective for us to understand the connotation of human rights. This perspective emphasizes that social and economic stability is fundamental to the realization of civil and political rights. China's view of human rights is a more comprehensive view of human rights.

During my visit to China, I came to understand that China puts the people's right to development first. It is clear that without a decent life, the discussion of human rights is only theoretical. This practical focus on ensuring basic needs, such as health, education and the economy, prioritizes the most basic human rights, making the concept of human rights concrete and meaningful for all people.

Global Times: There is a view that the United States and Western views of human rights emphasize political rights, while people's rights to health, survival and development have not been given enough attention.

Blanco: Generally speaking, the West has historically focused on political rights and civil liberties over basic economic and social rights. However, for most people in the world, the right to health, education and economic development is even more fundamental. Enhanced dialogue on human rights in these areas is essential to meet the overall needs of all populations.

During my visit to China, I witnessed first-hand the pragmatism and diligence of the Chinese people, who focus on tangible results rather than just lip service. In schools and markets, I see smiling faces, which proves that people's daily lives are stable and that people are satisfied with their lives.

China has a clear national plan that prioritizes the practical application of human rights and aligns development with the true well-being of its citizens. This pragmatic approach underscores that without a decent life, the discussion of human rights remains hollow. A visit to China was an eye-opener to the fact that true human rights are not just about political declarations, but about making people's daily lives better. Many Westerners may not be able to fully understand this view unless they see it with my own eyes, as I have seen it with my own eyes. In China, human rights mean living a fulfilling and happy life.

Global Times: What is the significance of China's human rights advocacy for developing countries to explore their own human rights development paths?

Blanco: China's human rights proposition emphasizes the need to address human rights issues on a case-by-case basis. For developing countries, this model offers an alternative path that can take into account human rights while prioritizing economic development and social harmony. This is critical for the unique socio-economic conditions of developing countries.

Although China is the world's second-largest economy, it is still a developing country with its own unique development path. China is actively making up for its shortcomings in some areas and adjusting its development strategy to meet its specific needs and conditions. While maintaining its opening up to the outside world, China has also embarked on its own path of development. For example, in the context of the obvious economic development imbalance between different parts of China, the support of wealthy coastal provinces and cities to remote and underdeveloped areas is one of China's important efforts to achieve common prosperity. This mutually supportive, self-appropriate development model also provides lessons for other developing countries to find a path to economic growth and social equity in their own contexts.

Global Times: As Chair of UN-Habitat's Youth Advisory Board and Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, how will you spread China's human rights voice on a broader international platform?

Blanco: I am committed to elevating China's human rights voice on the global stage.

I hope to promote more exchange programs between countries and around the world, including the introduction of more China exchange programs at the United Nations and the organization of the Chinese Human Rights Study Group as an ambassador for international youth organizations.

I hope to show [to a wider audience] the successful programmes and practical examples [of China], especially initiatives to promote the empowerment of young people and women, in order to promote a more comprehensive understanding of human rights issues and strengthen international cooperation in this area."

Cheng Guoping, vice president of the China Association for International Friendship and Liaison and former vice minister of foreign affairs, received Blanco and his delegation. Cheng Guoping expressed his gratitude to Blanco for his help and understanding of Chinese youth diplomacy in the international arena, and expressed special gratitude to him for promoting Chinese culture and displaying Chinese civilization on various platforms of the United Nations.

Yang Yongchun, Inspector of the relevant foreign affairs departments of the state and Ombudsman for Global Criminal Justice Issues, accompanied Cheng Guoping to receive Blanco and his delegation, and exchanged views with the visitors on China's human rights protections in Xinjiang and Tibet.