China has published a national action plan on human rights protection for 2016 to 2020. Addressing challenges and promising to improve people's lives, the new plan is the third of its kind. It follows two previous plans covering the periods of 2009-2010 and 2012-2015.

The coming five years are said to be a decisive stage for China to build a moderately prosperous society. The government will improve standards of living and the quality of life, upgrade public services and spare no efforts in lifting people out of poverty. It will protect intellectual property rights and improve the ecological environment.

China will enforce the law in a strict, procedure-based manner, and protect citizens' personal rights and dignity. It will improve socialist democracy, clear and expand channels for citizens' participation in political affairs, and ensure people's rights to be informed, to participate, to be heard and to oversee.

The government will promote development in regions inhabited by ethnic minorities. It will endeavor to eliminate gender discrimination, strengthen the protection of rights and interests of minors.

The plan will respond to the aging society and improve services and support for the handicapped. China will combine human rights education with national education in spreading knowledge of the law.

China will also fulfill its obligations to international human rights conventions, furthering its involvement with UN human rights projects.