China lobbies countries to praise its rights record ahead of UN review, say diplomats

China has been lobbying non-Western countries to praise its human rights record ahead of a key UN meeting where it will face questions and criticism over its actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, according to diplomats and documents.

Four diplomats told Reuters that China’s mission at the United Nations in Geneva had been sending memos to envoys in the build-up to the review of Beijing’s record by the UN Human Rights Council scheduled for Tuesday, January 23.

Notes sent to three non-Western countries seen by Reuters included specific speaking points to raise, including comments praising China’s record on women’s rights and disability.

An African diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed having received a request to show support for China at the meeting and said he would do as asked.

Antigua and Barbuda in its advanced questions to the UN used a favored phrase of President Xi Jinping – referring to China’s “whole-process people’s democracy” and praising the “fuller and more extensive and comprehensive democratic rights” enjoyed in China.

Its mission did not respond to a request for comment.

[Edit typo.]