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Chinese envoy warns ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’ have been frequently manipulated by some countries to interfere and cause chaos
China would like to work with Sri Lanka and other countries to build democratic and political systems based on their own national conditions Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka said yesterday issuing a statement.
He said that Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia and that while democracy is universal, it is also specific. He added that democratic practices have developed under specific conditions. To examine the rich and diverse democratic institutions and practices of humanity from a monotonous Western perspective itself is undemocratic, the Chinese Ambassador emphasised.
“Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia while China is developing its socialist democracy with own characteristics. To foster broad-minded tolerance toward the understanding of democracy by different civilizations, and respect the explorations of different peoples to turn their understanding of democracy into reality, China would like to further exchange with Sri Lanka and other countries to build democratic and political systems based on their own national conditions. By doing so, the common values of humanity will be translated into the practice of individual countries to serve the interests of their own people in a concrete and realistic way,” he said.
Given below is the rest of his statement: “What is a true democracy? How can it be achieved? “Democracy” and “human rights” have been frequently manipulated by a few countries to exercise interference and hegemony, disturbing and disordering the world.
I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts on these questions. Democracy and freedom are shared value of humanity. Due to differences among countries in history, culture, institution and level of development, their peoples have naturally different understandings of democracy and various methods of achieving it. This determines that democracy is not Coca-Cola, which could be produced with one formula and taste exactly alike across the world. Democracy should be flowers blooming in the garden, all beautiful but different with their individual own features.
Roads to democracy are different too. It is not a privilege reserved to a small minority of countries, but the people’s legitimate right to choose their own road and decide how to walk towards the common destination. Democracy is not an ornament only to be used for decoration, but a way to solve the problems that the people are facing. Whether a country is a democracy or not depends on whether its people are really the masters of the country. If the people are awakened only for voting but have no say after the election, such a democracy is not a true democracy.
How to evaluate whether a country’s political system is democratic and effective or not? We believe in some important indicators: Will the country’s leadership be replaced in an orderly manner according to law? Are the people of the country able to manage state, social, economic, and cultural affairs in accordance with law? Do they have unimpeded channels to express appeals and complaints? Whether all people could participate in national political life effectively and the country make scientific and democratic decisions? Is it possible for talents to enter the national leadership and management system through fair competition? Whether the ruling party comply with the Constitution and laws to lead the country and their power be effectively restricted and supervised?
More importantly, the judgment on whether a country is a democracy or not should be made by their people, not be authenticated by the handful of others. Whether a member of the international community is democratic or not should be judged together by the international community, not by a self-righteous minority “lecturer of democracy”.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people continues to explore and enrich the practices of people’s democracy. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has put forward the major approach of “whole-process people’s democracy”.
The “whole-process people’s democracy” in China not only has a complete set of institutions and procedures, but also full participation and practices. It exists in all steps of democratic election, consultation, decision-making, management, and supervision. It covers the practices of democratic exercise of state power, legislation, administration, supervision, justice, law-abiding, governance, and democratic autonomy. This approach enables unity of process and results, procedure and substance, direct and indirect democracy, as well as people’s democracy and the will of the state. It is the broadest, most genuine, and most effective socialist democracy. Based on people’s congress system, the deputies elected by people go deep among the masses, to observe their real life, listen to their suggestions, and promptly reflect the people’s concerns to the authorities through appropriate channels, so as to solve their problems. By doing so, the people can manage state, economic, cultural, and social affairs according to law and truly be the masters of the country.”
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
