China’s new rights paradigm designed for the Global South

Asia Times ^

[FarCenter]

...

The government’s new strategy is called the “Global Civilization Initiative.” And it’s become a major weapon in the Chinese party-state’s foreign propaganda arsenal.

The initiative was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March. It complements two previously announced (and similarly named) diplomatic tools: the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative.

Together, these intentionally vague concepts are designed to expand China’s influence over international institutions and norms. They also advance Xi’s plan for the “great renewal of the Chinese nation.”

...

China’s new initiative could have significant repercussions for human rights.

First, in contrast to the respect for universal human rights in the liberal international order, China’s strategy calls for a cultural relativist approach based on each country’s “national conditions and unique features.”

In other words, there shouldn’t be a universal standard of human rights at all.

Instead, each country should develop human rights protections according to its own culture and traditions. As China’s former foreign minister, Qin Gang, said earlier this year:

"There is no one-size-fits-all model in the protection of human rights."

This approach is problematic because it allows governments to apply international human rights standards selectively. It also offers a smokescreen for China’s own human rights violations.

A second way the Global Civilization Initiative threatens human rights is by promoting greater collaboration between illiberal and authoritarian regimes.

In announcing the initiative, Xi made the point of differentiation between China and Western democracies clear:

"The [Chinese Communist Party] will continue to safeguard international fairness and justice and promote world peace and stability. In advancing modernization, China will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong."

To promote this new strategy, Chinese officials have also been using benign-sounding language, such as “dialogue”, “cooperation” and “common prosperity.”

The Chinese state media even leaned on the ancient Silk Road as proof China has long “embodied the spirit of cooperation, mutual learning and mutual benefit.”

The aim is to build a broad coalition of countries seeking an alternative to the Western-led international order. In this new Chinese-led model, countries refrain from imposing their own values on one another. Interference in internal affairs is also strictly prohibited.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[Sirius Lee]

Instead, each country should develop human rights protections according to its own culture and traditions.

Wow! I kind of agree with this. And with that, each nation should be able to trade or not as it sees fit with any other nation on an individual, case by case basis. None of this WHO, World Bank, UN nonsense. You want to have tariffs agains country A but none against country B? Have at it. Suicide by climate regulations? Go for it. Don't expect others to follow.

[BobL]

“Instead, each country should develop human rights protections according to its own culture and traditions.”

We used to do that...and then NeverTrumpers stole an election...and so now we are in the process of being FORCIBLY REMOVED from Africa, and likely the rest of the Third World.

[ifinnegan]

“ Wow! I kind of agree with this.”

I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means, the words you kind of agree with.

[1Old Pro]

To promote this new strategy, Chinese officials have also been using benign-sounding language, such as “dialogue”, “cooperation” and “common prosperity.”

YOU ARE FEELING VERY SLEEPY, LOOK INTO MY EYES....