Adviser of the Chinese delegation Long Xuequn said on April 1 that China is
deeply concerned with the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples
although there are neither indigenous people nor indigenous issues in China.
Speaking at the 53rd session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights,
Long said, "The indigenous issues are a product of special historical
circumstances. By and large, they are the result of the colonialist policy
carried out in modern history by European countries in other regions of the
world, especially on the continents of America and Oceania."
"As in the case of other Asian countries, the Chinese people of all ethnic
groups have lived on our own land for generations. We suffered from invasion and
occupation of colonialists and foreign aggressors," Long said. "Fortunately,
after arduous struggles of all ethnic groups, we drove away those colonialists
and aggressors. In China, there are no indigenous people and therefore no
indigenous issues."
However, Long said, "The Chinese government and people are deeply concerned with
the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. We sympathize with their
unfortunate experience in history and we follow with concern their situation
today."
Long said, "The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will constitute
another important instrument of the UN in the field of human rights. It will
provide an important guidance for the international community and state
governments in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples."
On the other hand, Long pointed out, "Without a definition of indigenous peoples
and a scope of application for the declaration, it will be difficult to prove
the special necessity to draft the declaration and to ensure that the special
rights specified in the declaration be accurately applied to the genuine
indigenous peoples."
Long said that the Chinese delegation hoped that the working group in charge of
drafting the declaration would, taking into account views of all parties
concerned, endeavor to reach a consensus text and submit it to the commission
for adoption at an early date.
"The Chinese delegation has actively participated in the work of the working
group," Long said. "We are ready to join other delegations and organizations of
indigenous peoples to continue our efforts in the drafting process and in
protecting the rights of indigenous peoples."