CHINA’S HUMAN RIGHTS DIPLOMACY AND THE UYGHUR CRACKDOWN: THE APPEARANCE OF CONSISTENCY AND THE REALITY OF CONTRADICTION. CHINA’S DOUBLE STANDARDS IN HUMAN RIGHTS

Abstract

What is the impact of China’s official human rights stance on international human rights discourses/norms? Will China’s ambition to change the international human rights framework succeed, resulting in a new normative order in the world of human rights? The article attempts to address these questions. First, it identifies the state’s practice pursuing different standards when dealing with human rights issues internationally and domestically. Second, it argues that China is no different from other states when it behaves in a double standard way. The paper maintains, however, that China’s double-standard human rights approach is critical for the future development of the international human rights regime since the CCP leadership intends to redefine human rights in its own interests. While China’s interests align with most states in the third world, its pursuit of normative design is a threat to the current notion of universal human rights.