China: 40th Human Rights Dialogue with the European Union takes p... 3 of 4 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/china-40th-human-rights-dialogue-e... In the multilateral context, both sides reiterated their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and exchanged views on activities in international fora. The EU recalled that civil and political rights must be upheld on an equal footing with economic, social and cultural rights, adding that development cannot be considered as a precondition for the fulfilment of human rights. The field visit to South Tyrol provided an opportunity for open exchanges on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the preservation of cultural identity, including through multilingual education. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, and Shen Bo, Director-General for International Organisations and Conferences at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. EU Member States participated as observers. Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Sirpa Rautio briefed on the situation concerning human rights in the European Union. The EU and China agreed to continue their exchanges in view of a next round of the Human Rights Dialogue, to be held in China in 2026. CONTACT DETAILS ANITTA HIPPER Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy  Anitta.HIPPER@ec.europa.eu  +32 (0) 2 298 56 91  +32 (0) 460 76 14 21 ANOUAR EL ANOUNI Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy  Anouar.EL-ANOUNI@ec.europa.eu  +32 (0) 229 13580 XAVIER CIFRE QUATRESOLS Press Officer for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy  21/10/2025, 12:46