Fifteen years of cooperation between Australia and China to help improve human rights in China was marked at a reception in Beijing on 23 July.
The anniversary celebrations of the Australia–China Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program (HRTC) highlighted its role as a practical and powerful complement to the Australia–China Human Rights Dialogue, a pillar of the relationship between the two countries.
The event underscored the success of the HRTC in its dual aims–to build trust and share experiences on human rights between Chinese and Australian agencies, and to advance stronger adherence to human rights principles in China.
The program has helped bring about significant legislative and policy reforms in China over the past 15 years.
Special guests at the reception included President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, and Dr Qian Bo, a Deputy Director General at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Australia's Ambassador to China, Ms Frances Adamson, addressed the event by video.
AusAID and the Australian Human Rights Commission recently redesigned the program to ensure it continues to make a difference.
Since 1998, the Australian Government through AusAID has provided more than $23 million to support better human rights outcomes in China.
Consistent with the phase-out of the bilateral aid program to China, AusAID supports the HRTC through regional funds.
AusAID has supported the Australian Human Rights Commission's work in establishing long-lasting and positive relationships with Chinese agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the All China Women's Federation, the Supreme People's Court and the Public Security Bureau.