On Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Council looked into China's human rights situation during the second cycle of its periodic reviews of all its member states.

The Chinese delegation reported on the progress made since the first Universal Periodic Review (UPR), four years ago, and stressed China's commitment to further protecting and promoting human rights.

Wu Hailong, head of the Chinese delegation, recalled the commitment China made four years ago.The Chinese Government accepted 42 recommendations made by other countries, including making greater efforts to improve people's lives, reduce poverty, and deepen reform of the judicial system.

Wu Hailong said China's commitment has been basically fulfilled. China has greatly improved people's livelihoods, boosted employment, and basically achieved universal medical care.

At the same time, Chinese people's political rights have been further promoted. And China will see more improvement in human rights protection.

"Our whole country is now trying to realize the Chinese Dream. It is a dream in which the Chinese people persue and enjoy a happy life. It is also a dream of human rights. With the realization of the Chinese dream, the human rights cause in China will witness even greater achievements," said Wu.

137 countries commented on China's human rights efforts. The Chinese delegation also responded to the questions raised. An overwhelming majority of countries praised China's progress in promoting human rights.

"We value the UPR, because members can have open candid and friendly dialogue. We believe this should be based on equality, cooperation and candid interaction between members. At this stage, it does so," said Alexey Borodavkin, Russian Representative to UN Geneva office.

Many countries voiced support for China's efforts to promote human rights in line with its development needs. And expressed the hope for China to share its experience.

"It's commendable not only what China does for its people in human rights, but what it's doing for the rest of the world, particularly for other developing countries through south south cooperation," said Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo, Cuban Representative to UN Geneva office.

Recommendations were made for China to, among other things, further judicial reforms, improve management of NGOs and cooperate further with the UN human rights mechanism.

The universal periodical review mechanism is aimed at reviewing all UN member countries' human rights record. The first review of China was successfully carried out in Feburary 2009.