China Media Group:

Over the past 70-plus years since the peaceful liberation of Xizang, especially in the new era, significant progress has been made in advancing human rights. Could you please introduce the beneficial experiences formed in the process of protecting human rights in Xizang? Thank you.

Gama Cedain:

I would like to invite Mr. Wang to answer this question.

Wang Haizhou:

First, thank you for your concern about this issue. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have solved long-standing problems and accomplished major tasks, which could not be achieved in the past. All-round progress and historic success have been achieved in advancing human rights across the region. All these thoroughly demonstrate the practical effectiveness of General Secretary Xi's important discourse on respecting and protecting human rights. We have accumulated a series of basic experiences in this process, which can be summarized in the following six aspects:

First, upholding the leadership of the CPC. The CPC has always respected and protected human rights and attaches high importance to human rights development in Xizang. It has carried out concrete and effective measures to advance various rights, and strived to achieve well-rounded development and common prosperity for all people from all ethnic groups in Xizang. It has propelled Xizang to undergo earth-shaking transformations over just a few decades, achieving remarkable progress that would have taken millennia under ordinary circumstances. Xizang's successes provide ample evidence that without the CPC, there would be no People's Republic of China, nor the new Xizang. Only by upholding the leadership of the CPC can the people of Xizang become and remain the masters of their own affairs, and can their fundamental interests be safeguarded and advanced. The songs we are all familiar with, such as "Singing a Mountain Song for the Party," "Emancipated Serfs Sing Proudly" and "Road to Heaven," are all vivid expressions of the heartfelt gratitude and support to the CPC of the people in Xizang.

Second, respecting and ensuring the principal status of the people. "For the people" is the distinguishing feature of the Chinese path of human rights protection. By taking a people-centered approach to human rights, we have boosted local people's enthusiasm, initiative and creativity, and have enabled them to become the dominant participants in, contributors to and beneficiaries of human rights progress in the region. During this year's national "two sessions," 25 NPC deputies from the Xizang autonomous region and 29 CPPCC national committee members living in Xizang gathered public opinions and wisdom, participated in and deliberated on the administration of state affairs, and offered advice and suggestions on the development of the region.

Third, basing our work on Xizang's realities. There is no one-size-fits-all model for human rights development in the world: the one that suits you most will serve you the best. Based on the real conditions in the region, we have adopted a development model with Chinese characteristics that respects Xizang's regional features. This approach allows us to fulfill four main tasks in the region — ensuring stability, facilitating development, protecting the eco-environment, and strengthening the borders — while ensuring that all the people in Xizang have a greater sense of gain, fulfillment and security.

Fourth, focusing on basic human rights, and primarily the rights to subsistence and development. Subsistence is the foundation of all human rights, and living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right. Prioritizing the protection of the rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xizang to subsistence and realization of their rights to development, we are committed to addressing the most pressing and immediate issues that concern the local people most so as to achieve high-quality development.

Fifth, protecting human rights through maintaining security. Taking countering separatist activities and preserving national security as our essential work to safeguard people's well-being, we have ensured sustained and steady social development for Xizang and stable and secure border areas. A safe and stable environment creates favorable conditions and serves as a solid foundation for the development of human rights in the region. 

Sixth, protecting human rights in accordance with the law. The rule of law is the most effective guarantee for human rights. By upholding law-based governance, we have ensured that the authority of the Constitution and the law is maintained. Predicated on the principle that everyone is equal before the law, the regional government has strengthened human rights protection throughout the process of legislation, law enforcement, judicature, and the observance of the law, as part of its efforts to provide legal protection for human rights and defend social fairness and justice in the region. Thank you.