"Acting on this constitutional principle, the Chinese government will continue to promote all human rights, honor its international human rights obligations and conduct human rights dialog and exchanges with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect," he added.

The first session of the Human Rights Council started on Monday and will last until June 30.

Ministers and high level delegates from more than 100 countries will address the session, expressing their view on human rights promotion and the future work of the Council.

The 47-member new human rights body has taken the place of the former 53-country Human Rights Commission, which accomplished much in promoting the human rights cause but in recent years suffered eroding credibility.

"It is incumbent upon all the U.N. member states, particularly the newly elected members of the Council, to demonstrate political commitment and exert real efforts to make the Council both dynamic and effective," Yang told the session.

China hopes the new Council will go further than its predecessor along the right track and make greater contributions to improving human well-being, he said.

He added that China was ready to work with other Council members in a responsible and constructive manner, with a view to formulating a fair set of rules of procedure. China also wants to explore feasible working methods through consultation to enable the Council to get off to a good start.