Addis Ababa, Aug. 25, 2025
A high-level readers’ forum on the book “Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights” brought together more than 150 representatives from African political, academic, media, and student communities in Ethiopia’s capital.
The discussion centered on China’s evolving human rights approach could inspire new perspectives for Africa as countries work to balance modernization, sovereignty, and dignity.
Jiang Jianguo, executive vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, highlighted that the book has been translated into 13 foreign languages, attracting global readers from the fields of politics, research, media, and civil society.
“From this book, readers can see Xi Jinping’s deep care for people and his vision for the world as a leader of a major country,” Jiang said. He emphasized that China’s century-long experience in shaping its own human rights path could provide useful references for African nations in strengthening governance and improving people’s well-being.
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai underlined the people-centered approach that China and Africa share in human rights development, stressing opposition to politicization of the issue.
“China and Ethiopia have shown what mutual respect and cooperation on human rights can look like,” Ambassador Chen said, noting that such exchanges contribute not only to bilateral relations but also to building a China–Africa community with a shared future.
Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeddi Mowbray Armah, echoed these sentiments. He stressed that each nation must follow a path that reflects its history, culture, and development stage, while remaining rooted in the universal pursuit of dignity, justice, and equality.
“For Global South nations, this concept resonates deeply,” Armah said.
The Addis Ababa forum underscored the growing importance of China–Africa cooperation on human rights, positioning it as part of a broader conversation on sovereignty, development, and shared values.
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