China-Africa Scholars Discussing Development, Human Rights from New Perspective

Addis Ababa, August 22, 2025 (ENA) -- Representatives of African and Chinese universities are discussing in Addis Ababa human rights from a new perspective.

The first China-Africa Human Rights Seminar co-organized by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) of Ethiopia and several Chinese institutions focuses on the theme "Building the China-Africa community with a shared future and working together to realize the right to development."

Speaking at the event PSI Director-General Fekadu Tsega described it as a "landmark platform to shape the future of human rights and governance and strengthen China-Africa collaboration."

 

He emphasized the significance of the year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 70th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference, where "African and Asian nations came together to assert unity, equality, and cooperation."

This historical solidarity laid the foundation for enduring China-Africa relations based on solidarity, shared experiences, and development cooperation, Fekadu stated.

"This vision was also reaffirmed in the 2024 Dar es Salaam Consensus, which recognized the right to development as a fundamental human right and a shared moral and political commitment to uplift millions from poverty and inequality."

 

According to him, the right to development can be advanced through the Build and Road Initiative by ensuring that infrastructure projects do more than just build roads, railways, or ports. They should also create jobs for local people, transform skills and knowledge, and strengthen community participation.

Poverty reduction and human rights protection allows both regions to exchange best practices and innovative strategies to alleviate poverty and uphold social equity, he stressed.

Moreover, the Director-General pointed out that a shared future for mankind is a vision that transcends borders, cultures, and political systems, requiring cooperation and mutual respect.

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chen Hai, stated that "China and Africa both belong to the developing world, and we have always been part of the community of shared future."

 

For him, a people-centered approach to human rights "always puts the benefits of the people, the wellness of the people at the center so that people can be the main participants, promoters, and the beneficiary of human rights development."

"We always put the benefits of the people, the wellness of the people at the center so that people can be the main participants, promoters, and the beneficiary of human rights development."

However, he underscored that human rights is a historical, concrete, and pragmatic topic. Only by taking the path that fits the actual condition of the nation, and only when that path is supported and applauded by the people, can human rights be supported by all.

 

Ambassador Chen emphasized that "development is the precondition for realizing human rights, and also for the entitlement to human rights."

He called for concrete cooperation through platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to deepen collaboration on infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education.

Moreover, the Ambassador stated that China and Africa can, through high-level exchanges and think tank communication, share with each other the experiences in the protection of livelihood and in promotion of social justice; and contribute to a more China-Africa solution to the world.

The seminar's outcome will focus on key areas that reflect this connection, including jointly building the Belt and Road and the realization of the right to development, international solidarity, cooperation, and sustainable development.