White paper on right to development issued

The Chinese government on Thursday issued a white paper on the right to development, expounding on its philosophy, practice and contribution. The white paper, titled "The Right to Development: China's Philosophy, Practice and Contribution", states that development is the top priority of the Communist Party of China in governance and national revitalization, and the key to resolving all other problems.

It said that China is willing to join the international community in sharing its philosophy and experience to boost sound development of global human rights.

According to the white paper, China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty through more than 30 years of reform and opening-up, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global reduction in poverty.

The average life expectancy in the nation rose from 35 years in 1949 to 76.3 years in 2015, ranking high among developing countries, the white paper said.

The level of education has also soared. In 1949, more than 80 percent of the national population was illiterate, and the enrollment rate of school-age children was only 20 percent.

Last year, the net enrollment rate of school-age children at primary school stage was 99.88 percent, while the rate at senior high school was 87 percent. In addition, China's higher education has approached the level of medium-developed countries, the white paper added.

China's Human Development Index in 2014 ranked 90th among 188 countries, putting it in the high human development group, it said, citing the China National Human Development Report 2016 released by the United Nations.

China has promulgated and implemented a series of laws and regulations to protect the right to development of all citizens, especially that of ethnic groups, women, children, senior citizens, and the disabled, it said.