BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday issued a white paper on progress in human rights since its reform and opening up drive.

The white paper, titled "Progress in Human Rights over the 40 Years of Reform and Opening Up in China," said reform and opening up has helped liberate and develop social productive forces, opened up a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and ushered in a new chapter in the development of human rights.