Madrid, Spain—The 2025 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights opened in Madrid on June 25, bringing together experts, scholars, and officials from China and over 20 European countries. Centered on the theme “Human Rights in the Era of Digital Intelligence,” the seminar explored innovative approaches to human rights protection amid rapid technological advancement.
Marta Montoro, Vice Chair and General Director of the China Knowledge Lecture Hall Foundation in Spain, delivered an inspiring speech at the opening ceremony. She emphasized the vital importance of humanism in the digital age, noting that progress must include children, women, the elderly, and people in the Global South. Montoro stated, “We reject the exclusive hegemony that divides the world into winners and losers. We believe in a multipolar world where all civilizations, cultures, and people have a voice.”
Expressing strong support for China’s goals of promoting common prosperity and harmonious development, Montoro added, “Only through common growth can we stand the test of time, and only with true inclusivity can we protect the planet we inhabit. Unity makes us stronger.”
Lu Guangjin, Vice President of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, highlighted China’s remarkable progress in digital development. Citing a statistical report released in January 2025, he noted that as of December 2024, China had 1.108 billion internet users, with a penetration rate of 78.6%. Online shopping users numbered 974 million, accounting for 87.9% of internet users. “China has the largest internet user base in the world,” Lu stated.
Lu detailed China’s efforts in digital legislation to protect citizens’ basic rights. He highlighted laws such as the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law, which ensure that citizens retain control over their personal information, safeguarding privacy and preventing data leakage.
China has also established a regulatory framework covering the entire life cycle of artificial intelligence (AI), setting clear boundaries for technologies like facial recognition and autonomous driving. This promotes healthy AI development while protecting public safety and individual rights.
Through initiatives like the “East Data, West Computing” project, China has enhanced the supply of digital resources and addressed regional computing power gaps, allowing remote western areas to share in the benefits of the digital age. This has advanced balanced digital economy development nationwide, providing equal opportunities for people in different regions.
China’s attention to vulnerable groups is evident in the “Aging Adaptation Transformation” action, which has helped 140 million elderly people cross the “digital divide.” Simplifying device interfaces and developing user-friendly applications have enabled the elderly to enjoy online shopping, video calls with family, and access to healthcare services.
On the international stage, China has introduced initiatives like the “Global AI Governance Initiative” and the “Global Data Security Initiative” at the United Nations, advocating for global cooperation in digital governance. These initiatives aim to ensure digital technology benefits all humanity and respects human rights.
The seminar provided a valuable platform for in-depth exchanges and mutual learning. China’s experiences in promoting human rights in the digital age offer important references for the international community. As Montoro expressed, the future of humanity cannot be written without China. China’s continuous efforts in digital development and human rights protection contribute to building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable global community.
