China to continue upholding true multilateralism to promote sound development of int'l human rights cause: spokesman

China will continue upholding true multilateralism to promote the sound development of the international human rights cause, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

The 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday adopted by consensus a resolution on "Promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities."

The resolution calls for thematic discussions and interactive dialogues at the UNHRC, and encourages the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) to strengthen its work on economic, social and cultural rights.

"The 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday adopted by consensus the resolution on 'Promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities' submitted by China on behalf of nearly 70 countries, including Bolivia, Egypt, Pakistan, and South Africa. The resolution calls for stronger multilateralism and international cooperation and efforts of fully leveraging the role of the knowledge hub for economic, social and cultural rights, which was established under China's proposal, so as to better provide technical assistance and capacity-building support for countries in need," said Guo.

"Representatives of various countries extended their congratulations to China. Developing countries said that the resolution reflects the real needs of people around the world and serves as a strong response to the developing countries' call for greater input into economic, social and cultural rights. China will continue upholding true multilateralism, enhancing dialogue and cooperation with all sides based on equality and mutual respect and helping to promote the sound development of the international human rights cause," he said.

China to continue upholding true multilateralism to promote sound development of int'l human rights cause: spokesman

The European Commission's autumn 2025 economic forecast shows that driven by a surge in exports in anticipation of U.S. tariff increases, the European Union's (EU) economy maintained growth in the third quarter of this year, and it is expected to continue expanding at a moderate pace over the forecast horizon.

In the report released on Monday, the Commission said the gross domestic product (GDP) of the EU is expected to grow 1.4 percent in 2025, with the eurozone expanding 1.3 percent. Growth in 2026 is forecast at 1.4 percent for the EU and 1.2 percent for the eurozone, both slightly lower than projections made in May.

Eurozone headline inflation is projected to ease to 2.1 percent this year from 2.4 percent in 2024. Inflation across the EU is seen declining from 2.6 percent in 2024 to 2.2 percent in 2027, remaining slightly above the eurozone rate.

Due to the increase in defence spending, the EU's fiscal deficit is expected to rise to 3.4 percent of GDP in 2027 from 3.1 percent in 2024. The EU debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise from 84.5 percent in 2024 to 85 percent in 2027, with the eurozone ratio set to rise from around 88 percent to 90.4 percent.

The forecast noted that globally, trade barriers have reached historic highs, and the EU now faces higher average tariffs on exports to the U.S. compared with the spring forecast. Persistent trade policy uncertainty continues to weigh on economic activity, with tariffs and non-tariff restrictions potentially constraining EU growth more than expected. Any escalation in geopolitical tensions could intensify supply shocks, it noted.

EU expects economy to expand moderately