China has sent delegations to every session of the Commission since 1982. China always respects the purposes and principles of the UN Charter with regard to protecting and promoting human rights. It supports efforts of the UN towards this end and takes an active part in the UN activities in the field of human rights. China has acceded to 17 international human rights conventions, and signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights respectively in October 1997 and October 1998. The year of 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
China takes an active part in the international cooperation in the field of human rights.
At the invitation of the Chinese Government, Mrs. Mary Robinson, the UN high commissioner for human rights, paid a successful visit to China in September 1998. During her visit, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen met with Mrs. Robinson respectively. Mrs. Robinson had discussions with relevant departments of the Chinese Government and local leaders in Tibet and Shanghai. She also held talks with representatives from academic, religious, education, women circles and NGOs,in addition to extensive exchanges with laid-off workers, peasants and students. A Memorandum of Intent was signed between the Chinese Government and the High Commissioner, spelling out the willingness of cooperation on both sides.