Wang Yi Attends the High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

On September 22, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action via video link and delivered a speech.

Wang Yi said, eliminating racism in all its forms and ensuring that everyone is equal in dignity and rights is the spirit of the UN Charter and a manifestation of international fairness and justice. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a banner for the global movement against racism and a shared commitment of all countries. China warmly welcomes and firmly supports the UN General Assembly to hold a commemorative meeting on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of this programmatic document.

Wang Yi said, slave trade and colonialism are the primary root causes of racism. People of African and Asian descent and indigenous peoples were victims of such practices in the past, and continue to bear their consequences even today. The relevant countries should at least have the courage to face up to this disgraceful past, and take measures to end the sufferings caused by their practices. More importantly, they are duty-bound to take the lead in rejecting racism in all its forms.

Wang Yi said, China urges all countries to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude, build and improve their legal frameworks against racism, and fully and earnestly implement the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. In particular, all countries should truly resolve systemic racism and law enforcement violence, prohibit the incitement of racial hostility, and end impunity.

China advocates more dialogue and exchanges between races and between cultures, and rejects arrogance and prejudice based on race, color or language. China believes in a culture of respect, tolerance and equality, and a social environment free from discrimination. In this respect, political leaders and the media should take up their special responsibilities.

China calls for the ensurance of the right to development for all, so as to eradicate the breeding ground for racism, including poverty, marginalization, social exclusion and economic gap, and break the vicious cycle between social inequality and racism. To this end, it is imperative to accelerate the implementation of UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and leave no individual and no country behind.

Wang Yi said, China supports the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and will continue its implementation. China will work with all countries in unrelenting efforts to eliminate racism and build a world of equality for all.