United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet delivers a speech at the opening of a session of the UN Human Rights Council on Feb 28, 2022 in Geneva. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

GUANGZHOU - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Saturday said UN human rights body and China have the possibility of discussing at the highest level, which implies that there will be a lot of areas to continue cooperating and collaborating in the future.

Bachelet told a virtual press briefing that both sides agreed to establish regular engagement between the UN Human Rights Office and the Government of China, including through an annual senior strategic meeting for discussion of issues of respective interest at national, regional, or global levels.

Bachelet told a virtual press briefing that both sides agreed to establish regular engagement between the UN Human Rights Office and the Government of China, including through an annual senior strategic meeting for discussion of issues of respective interest at national, regional, or global levels

Bachelet said the two sides also agreed to establish a working group to facilitate substantive exchanges and cooperation through meetings in Beijing and in Geneva, as well as virtual meetings.

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"This working group will organize a series of follow-up discussions about specific thematic areas, including but not limited to development, poverty alleviation and human rights, rights of minorities, business and human rights, counter-terrorism and human rights, digital space and human rights, judicial and legal protection and human rights, as well as other issues raised by either side," the high commissioner said.

Concluding the key topics in her six-day visit to China, Bachelet said poverty alleviation and the eradication of extreme poverty "are tremendous achievements of China," adding that the introduction of universal health care and unemployment insurance scheme go a long way in ensuring protection of rights.

"China's efforts in support of the multilateral 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, both at home and internationally, are also valued," Bachelet said.

Stressing that the visit was not an investigation, Bachelet said the visit was an opportunity to hold direct discussions with Chinese leaders to listen to each other, raise concerns, explore and pave the way for more regular, meaningful interactions in the future, with a view to supporting China in fulfilling its obligations under international human rights law.

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"Considering China's significant role in multilateralism, the visit was an opportunity for me to also discuss several other regional and global issues, where China can use its leverage to bring political solutions," Bachelet said.