Dominic Lee Tsz-kin, representative of the Beijing NGO Association for International Exchanges, criticized Western hypocrisy on human rights in a speech at the 36th meeting of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday.

Lee, also a Hong Kong Legislative Council member, rebutted Western condemnation and sanctions following the 2020 Hong Kong SAR National Security Law, which critics called a human rights violation.

“Since enacting the NSL, Hong Kong’s economy has recovered, tourism has flourished, and people finally feel safe again,” the lawmaker said.

As a founder of local academic group China Retold that aims to promote China’s positive image internationally, Lee said China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty.

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In comparison, the TEDx speaker questioned the moral authority of Western critics. He highlighted Western countries’ silence on what he called “Zionist genocide in Gaza” despite preaching human rights.

“We will not be silenced by nations that treat human rights as bargaining chips — a tool of foreign policy,” Lee said.

Until every nation in this chamber is held to the same standard — until hypocrisy crumbles, genocide is met with action, and peace becomes a world we build together,” he added.