A/HRC/11/25* 75. Japan noted China’s achievements in ensuring the economic and social rights of its people since its adoption of the policy of opening up and reform in 1978. It applauded the achievements so far, but hoped that China would continue its efforts to further enhance the promotion and protection of the civil and political rights of its people, including the ratification of the ICCPR. Japan also noted that, as a multi-ethnic nation, China has adopted various preferential measures for ethnic minorities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs, and has extended various economic and social assistance to minorities as it aims to realise a “harmonious society.” It recommended continuing its efforts to further ensure ethnic minorities the full range of human rights including cultural rights. Taking note of concrete steps for the freedom of the press and the disclosure of information under the policy of “placing people first”, such as the new regulations on reporting activities by foreign journalists, it hoped China would fully implement these regulations and will further advance its policies and measures in this regard. Japan also noted the publication of a white paper on China’s rule of law in February 2008. 76. Benin noted that China is the country of contrasts, par excellence. A country of thousands of years’ civilization, it has transformed itself from a semi-colony of the 19th century and liberated itself from foreign domination in 1949. The vast territory with a population of more than one billion inhabitants, China did not retake its sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao until 1997 and 1999 respectively, and recently China has known visible inequalities, which constituted the major challenges for the promotion and protection of human rights. Benin stood in solidarity with China regarding solutions to be undertaken to address different problems linked to universal respect for human rights in its vast territory. Benin praised the progress made in respect of human rights and recognized the continuing challenges faced by China. Benin asked about the priorities of China for the promotion and protection of human rights for special administered regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and why China had considered it necessary to have a national human rights action plan for 2009–2010. Benin recommended that the two special administrative regions continue to function according to their realities and maintain respect for different rights of their citizens in terms of respect for their laws. 77. Mali noted with satisfaction the progress made in many sectors, including the area of human rights and commended positive results achieved in the area of promotion and protection of human rights. While noting the difficulties and constraints mentioned in the national report, Mali remained convinced that through its determination China will achieve the goals set for itself in the area of the promotion and protection of human rights within its boundaries. 78. Gabon noted that it has enjoyed warm diplomatic relations with China since the 1960s, a rich and dynamic partnership, with numerous concrete projects in different sectors of Gabon’s economy. It said human rights issues in China have always attracted international attention and this review provided an excellent opportunity for China to show to the world that human rights promotion and protection is a national priority. Since 1986, China has carried out programmes of dissemination of knowledge of the law and the fifth of these programs (2006–2010) focuses on education and training of officials in human rights and the primacy of law. The Chinese Government supports involvement of civil society in its awareness-raising activities and human rights protection, which allows the 387,000 NGOs to carry out actions in various areas such as poverty reduction, health, education, environmental protection and protection of citizens’ rights. It noted China’s rapid evolution towards international human rights protection standards, more than 250 laws to protect human rights, its active participation in United Nations human rights bodies and its preponderant role in establishing the new Council. It encouraged China to continue in this way. 18 GE. 09-16299