On September 15, 2021, an international video seminar on "Business and Human Rights: New Ideas, New Practice" was successfully held, organized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and co-organized by Wuhan University Institute of Human Rights and China Top Think Tank-Wuhan University Academy of International Law and Global Governance. This event was one of the meetings of the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council, and the offline venue was located at Wuhan University Law School. Nearly 200 experts, scholars and practitioners from universities, industry associations and foundations at home and abroad participated in it.

Zhang Wanhong, Executive Director of the Wuhan University Institute of Human Rights, chaired the conference. He said that the theme and background of the conference responded to the international community's concern about the issue of business and human rights. Against the backdrop of the growing influence of China and Chinese companies, and with the international spotlight on China, the problem becomes more serious. How to guide Chinese enterprises to take responsibility for respecting human rights in the international community, and to build a good business reputation, is an important issue before us. As a national human rights education and training base, the Wuhan University Institute of Human Rights has been concerned with the issue of business and human rights, and has taken the lead in offering a course on "Business and Human Rights" among undergraduate students to promote the development of related research.

Xiao Yongping, Director of Wuhan University Academy of International Law and Global Governance, pointed out that the topic of "Business and Human Rights" is of great significance in this era. This demonstrates China's determination to actively participate in global human rights governance, which will help us steadily promote the cooperation of countries along the "Belt and Road" and jointly build a community of human destiny. This event will provide a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese enterprises' efforts to practice responsible business practices and promote the wider dissemination of the concept of "business and human rights".

Participants discussed topics such as business and human rights in the National Human Rights Action Plan, good practices of overseas Chinese enterprises in promoting sustainable development. Participants generally agreed that the Chinese government has introduced a series of policies and measures, contributing Chinese wisdom to the world's business development and human rights practices.

Participants also pointed out that some developed country-led supply chain responsibility systems use double standards, leading to treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. Participants called for correcting the unequal pattern of international supply chains in which developed countries grab more profits. Participants actively shared and exchanged ideas and gained a lot.

The conference was open for participation on several online platforms, and according to statistics, nearly 200 participants attended the conference online and offline. It is reported that this is the first UN Human Rights Council event organized by China on the theme of "Business and Human Rights".

Edited by Wang Yuting & Wu Liuqing