[ Qualifier ]

People-centred

“People-centred” approaches in global development, humanitarian initiatives, and climate action aim to empower individuals and communities by promoting public participation and amplifying marginalized voices. In China, the phrase “people-centred” or “putting people first” (以人为本) has been a prominent Party slogan since the early 2000s. Historically, the term “people” has served as a political category in China, constituting the class-based population that the Chinese Communist Party claims to represent. The people and the Party are often conflated, suggesting that their interests are inherently aligned.

On the international stage, China advocates for “people-centred development” and for a “human rights system with a people-centred approach.” This is a critique of the prevailing global human rights framework, which focuses on individual rights and the obligations of states to respect and protect them. China’s interpretation of a people-centred approach tends to blur the lines between individual (人), people/collective (人民), and nationality (民族), thereby sidelining the rights of individuals and ethnic groups. Instead, it places an emphasis on individual contributions towards nation-building, thus prioritizing societal goals over personal liberties.

Key Examples

“The CPC’s people-centred philosophy can be traced back to the country’s traditional culture. The Party’s inherent genetic code includes fine traditional Chinese culture, from which the notion of putting people’s interests above all else originates. China’s path to the pursuit of peaceful development under the leadership of the CPC is also inseparable from traditional Chinese culture.” — Xinhua on 103^rd founding anniversary of the CCP, June 30, 2024
“China works together with countries around the world to implement the GDI under the principles of development as a priority, a people-centred approach, benefits for all, innovation-driven development, harmony between man and nature, and results-oriented actions, in an effort to create a bright future of peace and prosperity for all.” — PRC Position Paper for the UN Summit of the Future, September 19, 2024
“China’s people-centred approach in advancing technology has long been smeared by certain countries. […] Such claims are part of a broader political strategy of questioning China’s human rights situation, exaggerating and even fabricating the risks posed by technology to justify confronting China’s tech sector. […] What China emphasizes is the inclusiveness of technological advancement. We hope all countries are able to benefit from the new round of technological revolution, rather than being dominated by a single country wielding technological hegemony.” — Global Times, April 20, 2024