2nd China-Latin America human rights roundtable highlights cooperation for global governance

Experts from China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) exchanged their views on human rights development cooperation and the China-Latin America contribution to global governance at a meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday.

The second China-Latin America and Caribbean States Roundtable on Human Rights, themed "China-Latin American and Caribbean States Community with a Shared Future and the Development of Human Rights', brought together over 130 officials, experts, and representatives from social organizations, think tanks and media in the field of human rights.

The event seeks to promote the exchange of experiences and foster the perspectives on how different models and cultures address the universality of human rights.

"It is very important for us that China is the one convening us, because it is a country that has incorporated human rights into its Constitution, in all its constitutional reforms. Not only that, but it also ensures the security of people's rights. Therefore, holding this event in Latin America, in Brazil, in such an important country for our continent, is very, very important," said Juan Carlos Moraga, president of Human Rights Without Frontiers, a non-governmental organization.

The first edition of the event was held in Rio de Janeiro last September, laying the groundwork for this meeting in Sao Paulo, which is now presented as an opportunity to strengthen ties and advance more specialized discussions.

"I think it's very important. First, it allows us to share different realities, from the Caribbean, Latin America, and China. It enables us to provide observations and suggest fields in which we should take actions. I think it has been very important that China, its government, its universities, and its research institutions, along with some universities in the region, are providing those facilities," said Jones Cooper Seferlis, a professor at the University of Panama.

"This is a lesson for the future, and we hope that new instances of dialogue and meeting will emerge from here," said Moraga.

The roundtable was co-organized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies, Renmin University of China, and Sao Paulo State University, with the collaboration of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China and the Institute of Public Policy and International Relations at Sao Paulo State University.

The forum published the Sao Paulo Consensus on China-Latin American and the Caribbean States Human Rights Communication and Cooperation, and launched the China-Latin American and Caribbean States Human Rights Research and Cooperation Network.

2nd China-Latin America human rights roundtable highlights cooperation for global governance

Indonesia's first locally born baby panda Rio has attracted crowds of people to the Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) in Bogor, south of Jakarta, since he was officially introduced to the public late last month, with visitors excited to catch a glimpse of the safari's most famous resident.

Rio was born on Nov 27 last year, weighing just 200 grams, but has since developed into a healthy 11 kilogram male as he made his public debut on May 30.

The cub was conceived by Chinese-loaned pandas Cai Tao and Hu Chun, and is Indonesia's first giant panda bred in captivity.

Many Indonesians used to have to travel all the way to China if they wanted to see a baby panda. Now, they are delighted to have a beloved bear right at home.

"I am grateful that Taman Safari Indonesia has been given the opportunity to build good bilateral relations between Indonesia and China. This is an activity that I think has a direct impact not only on people who love pandas, but can also be a learning medium, including for students who today come in large numbers. I am very happy because finally Taman Safari has been able to breed a panda after three failed trials. So, it's all just very touching," said Dr. Missie Gustini, a visitor.

Rio lives in a lavish structure called the Panda Palace along with his parents, who arrived from China in 2017 in an act of "panda diplomacy" which aimed to mark 60 years of ties between Indonesia and China.

Rio is taken as a shortened version of his full name, Satrio Wiratama, which means 'brave' and 'noble warrior'. The team at the safari say this name was chosen to symbolize the conservation partnership between Indonesia and China.

"The main message is about conservation. I think conservation doesn't see countries, doesn't see boundaries. When you talk about conservation, a Chinese animal, we can do conservation in Indonesia. Indonesian animals, you can do conservation in Europe. So, if you're an expert in Europe, you're an expert in Africa, you can contribute to conservation for the whole world. I think having this baby Rio is just, what do you call it, it's kind of opened up the possibilities for conservation efforts all over the world, for all of the species, especially the endangered species all over the world," said Aswin Sumampao, president director of the Taman Safari.

Indonesian-born giant panda cub enjoys popularity after meeting public