The inaugural session of the U.N. Human Rights Council convened in Geneva on June 19, 2006, with China saying it will continue to make efforts to promote all human rights.

Xinhua reports that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said the Chinese people once suffered greatly from aggression by imperialist powers, fighting among warlords, turbulence and poverty, and that is why they are keenly aware of the value of peace, development and human rights.

"The founding of the People's Republic brought about a fundamental change in China's destiny, ushering in a new era when the people have become masters of the country," he said.

The 47-member new human rights body has taken the place of the former 53-country Human Rights Commission.