A/HRC/11/25* participatory approach at the international level. As party to 25 international human rights conventions and sponsor of a number of international fora, China has cooperated well with the OHCHR and with the work of the Council in an open-minded and responsible spirit on the basis of dialogue. With a country this large and diverse, one needs to bear in mind the history and social and economic realities. It further noted that while poverty and the current world economic crisis are only some of the main obstacles China, which has 21 per cent of the world’s population, faces in ensuring the full exercise of human rights, it has spared no effort, in line with the MDGs, in working to meet the basic needs of the people. It recognised the tangible results China has achieved and recommended that China continue enhancing the quality of life of its people through the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and pursuant to international standards. 55. India welcomed China’s commitment to engaging in exchanges and cooperation with other countries in the field of human rights and in promoting a non-selective approach at the international level. It praised the tremendous strides made by China in reducing poverty and attaining some of the MDGs ahead of schedule. It also noted with interest a National Human Rights Action plan for 2009–2010 being formulated, which will identify the measures to be taken by Government departments and development agencies. 56. France noted that NGOs’ reports frequently referred to various methods of confinement, such as detention, house arrest, secret prisons and re-education through labour centres. It asked about any planned reforms on this matter and of what progress has been made in improving the situation of re-education through labour. France enquired about progress in adopting a law to ensure the legal protection of mentally ill persons. It asked about the new role played by the Supreme People’s Court regarding the pronouncement of death penalty sentences. Noting that the law on the work of foreign journalists was the first step towards creating respect for freedom of movement and information, France recommended that (a) provisions of this law be extended to Chinese journalists. France enquired about progress in adopting legislative and regulatory texts for the ratification of ICCPR and recommended that China (b) state a precise calendar for ratification and adoption of the necessary measures for the ratification of the ICCPR. France recommended (c) the reduction of the great number of crimes which are subject to capital punishment, specifically, first of all, economic crimes, as well as abolishing the death penalty and increasing transparency on this issue by publishing national official statistics. It recommended that China (d) become a party to the Rome statute of the ICC. 57. Yemen commended China’s great attention to recommendations of international bodies, particularly regarding people with disabilities and those suffering from mental illnesses, noting the creation of national bodies to pay greater attention to such people and to their economic and social rights. The national programme on debt relief has contributed to relieving the suffering of 10 million handicapped persons living in the rural areas and 15 million Chinese citizens have been able to enjoy greater freedom and greater rights. It commended the efforts undertaken to guarantee respect of their legitimate rights. It saluted China’s hosting of the Paralympics and recommended it continue efforts in supporting persons with disabilities and ensuring their contribution in social life, as effective partners. 58. Jordan was encouraged by China’s access to a high number of international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was please that China was taking steps with the view to ratifying the ICCPR. It noted that China has been keen to complement its commitments under international human rights instruments by enacting many laws pertaining to human rights. It commended China for adopting measures aiming at limiting the application of capital punishment and hoped that it would continue its efforts in this regard. It noted that the implementation of the Scientific Outlook on Development has proven to be effective since it puts people first and seeks to tackle their rights and needs in a comprehensive manner for a harmonious society and thus 14 GE. 09-16299