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(This article was published by
Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce Fall 2001)
CHINA AND UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS
(Jiangyu Wang)
Abstract
This article discusses the relationship
between the universal human rights standards proposed by the
West and the "Chinese value" asserted by China. First it explores
the evolution of the universal human rights standards. The
author finds that the universal human rights, though basically
a Western creation, has become an open concept and it can
be construed to accommodate different values of the many nations
of the world. Secondly, it examines China's participation
in international human rights regime, and analyzes China's
arguments and theories in this regard. The author opines that,
on one hand, subsistence, sovereign and cultural relativism
are not strong defenses for a truly poor human rights record;
on the other hand, in promoting universal human rights standards,
much attention should be given to a country's cultural distinction,
national condition, and development stage. In brief, a subtle
balance should be sought. In the final part of this article,
the author presents four recommendations for the West and
China to deal with each other in terms of human rights protection,
of which the most important ones are economic engagement,
and cultural and educational exchanges.
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