China Regrets US Withdrawal From UN Human Rights Council: Spokesperson

BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2018 ) :China on Wednesday regretted withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council and said it would continue to work with all parties to make its own contribution to the healthy development of the international human rights cause through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

"China regrets that the United States has decided to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said during his regular press briefing held here.

The US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Haley reportedly announced at the US State Department that the United States withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council.

The spokesperson said it was an important platform for all parties to carry out dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights, exchange mutual understanding, and jointly promote the development of human rights undertakings. "All parties attach great importance to the UN Human Rights Council and China has always advocated and committed itself to safeguard multilateralism, supporting the Human Rights Council and other mechanisms to work together to jointly promote and protect human rights worldwide", he added.

Geng Shuang said that China would continue to work with all parties to make its own contribution to the healthy development of the international human rights cause through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

Commenting on the US criticism of the world body, he said the Human Rights Council was established by the UN General Assembly. The US attitude toward the UN Human Rights Council had caused dissatisfaction among most countries in the world.

"As for the US accusations of human rights conditions in China and other countries, it is completely disregarding the facts. The tremendous development and progress made in China's human rights cause can be seen by anyone without prejudice," he added.

To yet another question about a possible trade war between China and the US, he said that China had made a formal response to the recent announcement of the US tax collection and emphasized again that dialogue was stronger than confrontation on economic and trade issues. "We always advocate that China and the United States properly handle economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation," he added.

Gen Shuang said previously, China and the United States held three consultations on economic and trade issues and made some progress.

During the consultations, China demonstrated full sincerity and goodwill, adding, "China does not provoke a trade war or fear a trade war. If anyone insists on launching a trade war, we will firmly safeguard our legitimate rights and interests. We will escort to the end. We have said this many times before."