"Corporate respect for human rights in the Chinese context", 18th June 2015

With China’s growing importance in the global economy, increasing overseas foreign direct investment, and very real human rights impacts, Chinese and international companies face greater imperatives at home and abroad to address human rights...The baseline international normative standards on business and human rights are clearly articulated in the UN Guiding Principles on Business on Human Rights (UNGPs)...The Chinese government expressed its appreciation and support for the UNGPs at the UN Human Rights Council in 2011...

The China Chamber of Commerce of Metals Minerals and Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC) Guidelines for Social Responsibility in Outbound Mining Investment call for companies to ‘observe the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights during the entire life-cycle of the mining project’...there is therefore growing urgency for companies – including Chinese-headquartered private and state-owned companies, multinational companies operating and investing in China, and companies that have business relationships with Chinese companies around the world – to develop knowledge, tools and experience to implement respect for human rights in practice...There are a number of complementary avenues that should be pursued...One avenue that has clear value is the creation of learning forums on human rights, tailored to Chinese business needs and impacts...Another avenue could involve constructive and innovative engagement between diverse stakeholders, including companies and business associations, civil society and international organisations...