The United Nations independent expert on foreign debt, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, will visit China from June 29 to July 6 to assess how its international lending contributes to human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights in borrowing countries.
According to the UN's office, China's own debt sustainability policies and its policies to address international problems relating to foreign debt and illicit financial flows will also be on the international expert's human rights agenda.
"I am visiting China to learn more about the efforts made by the government and Chinese financial institutions to avoid negative human rights impacts in their international lending, including guidelines that have been developed to ensure respect for human rights, social and environmental standards," Bohoslavsky said.
In recent years, China has become one of the major international lenders financing development and infrastructure projects worldwide, and promoting the development rights.
China has also become a key player in establishing new multilateral development banks, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Bohoslavsky is expected to meet with senior government officials and representatives from ministries, state institutions and development banks.
His agenda will include visits to the State Council Information Office, the China Banking Regulation Commission, the People's Bank of China, EXIM Bank China, China Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, according to the UN.
During his eight-day mission, the Special Rapporteur will hold meetings with academic experts, representatives of international organizations, business associations, and civil society organizations.
According to the schedule provided by the UN information office, Bohoslavsky will hold a press conference in Beijing to share the preliminary findings of his visit. His final findings and key recommendations will be presented in a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council next year.
Bohoslavsky has been a UN independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and human rights since May 8, 2014. Before this, he worked as a sovereign debt expert for the United Nations conference on trade and development.
