China has always attached primary importance

On the rights of the child, Li Baodong, the alternate representative of the Chinese delegation, said that as a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, China has always attached primary importance to the protection of the rights of the child.

China has been conscientiously implementing its obligations under the convention and actively participating in other international instruments related to the protection of the rights of the child, he said.

The Chinese government is convinced that children carry the hope of a nation and the future of mankind, Li said, adding that safeguarding their rights would help ensure the sustainable and sound development of humanity.

China will spare no effort

The Chinese delegate pointed out that even though considerable progress has been made in the protection of the rights of the child, difficulties and challenges that still exist should not be overlooked.

He said China will spare no effort in living up to its commitments to the protection and promotion of the rights of the child.

"We wish therefore not only to reaffirm the importance of all the rights to be enjoyed by each and every child, but also work with the international community to build for them an even better world," he said.

China Signs UN Optional Protocol on Children

China signed a United Nations document on the protection of children's rights in armed conflicts on March 15, 2001.

The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts was adopted by the UN General Assembly on May 25 last year and then became open for signature by UN member states. It prohibits the compulsory recruitment of children under 18 and their participation in combat.

(People's Daily April 18, 2002)