February 18, 2025
Your Excellency Secretary General António Guterres,
Colleagues,
I would like to thank Secretary General Guterres for attending this meeting and for his briefing.
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Eighty years ago, our forefathers, with strenuous struggle and tremendous sacrifice, won the great victory of the Anti-Fascist war; the international community drew painful lessons from the scourge of two world wars; and the United Nations was founded. Multilateralism gradually became the main trend of the times. New historical chapters were opened in global governance.
The past 80 years is a period of accelerated advancement in world multipolarity and economic globalization, a period that has witnessed people across the world forging ahead and meeting challenges together, and also a period during which the Global South has been rising and growing in strength. Meanwhile, although human society has emerged from the shadows of the Cold War and moved beyond the bipolar standoff, comprehensive peace and shared prosperity remain elusive. In the third decade of the 21st century, peace and development remains a long-term, arduous task.
The 80 years of history is enlightenment enough: In the face of the turbulent and changing international landscape, the U.N.-centered international system provides important safeguards for the cause of human progress, and the vision of multilateralism with coordination and cooperation as its cornerstone is the best solution to global issues. In the face of the historical trend of shared future, no country can prosper alone; mutually beneficial cooperation is the right choice. In the face of the profoundly changing international landscape, the Global South should not only achieve the historic feat of moving toward modernization together, but also remain at the forefront of improving the global governance system.
Mr. Secretary General,
Colleagues,
To chart our course for the future, we should not forget why we started out in the beginning. Today, transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the world, geopolitical conflicts keep escalating, multiple crises are emerging, and instability and uncertainty are increasingly prominent. In a time of intensifying turbulence and transformation, we need, more than ever, to remind ourselves of the founding mission of the U.N., reinvigorate true multilateralism, and speed up the efforts to build a more just and equitable global governance system. In this connection, China proposes the following:
First, upholding sovereign equality. All countries are equal, regardless of size or strength. This is the foremost principle in the U.N. Charter. In advancing global governance, all countries have the right to participate as equals, make decisions as equals, and benefit as equals. We must respect the development paths chosen independently by people of all countries, uphold the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and not impose one’s will upon others. We must practice international rule of law, ensure the effective implementation of international law, and reject double standards and selective application. Resolutions of the Security Council are binding, and should be observed by all countries. The Security Council is entrusted with authority, and such authority should be upheld by all countries. Any act of bullying, trickery or extortion is a flagrant violation of the basic norms of international relations. Any unilateral sanction that circumvents Security Council authorization lacks legal basis, defies justification and contradicts common sense.
Second, upholding fairness and justice. A critical part of global governance is to ensure that justice prevails. Since the end of World War II, a large number of countries in the Global South have emerged on the world stage, which has revealed growing incompatibility and irrationality in the global governance structure. Under the new circumstances, international affairs should no longer be monopolized by a small number of countries. Countries in the Global South have the right to speak up for and defend their legitimate rights and interests. The fruits of development should no longer be taken by just a few countries. People of all countries have the right to a happy life. The reform of the Security Council should continue to emphasize democratic consultation, increase the representation and say of developing countries, especially African countries, and effectively redress historical injustice.
Third, upholding solidarity and coordination. Promoting international cooperation is an important purpose of the U.N. Charter, and a sure path toward improving global governance. Countries should commit to the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, replace confrontation with coordination, prevent lose-lose through win-win cooperation, and break down small circles with greater solidarity. Members cannot just sit by and watch multilateral institutions become dysfunctional and ineffective due to their own failure to cooperate. The Security Council must rise above narrow-minded geopolitical considerations, champion the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, fulfill its duties conferred by the U.N. Charter, and effectually play its role for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Fourth, upholding an action-oriented approach. Global governance has to be improved, not through words but through actions. In the face of protracted wars, loss of innocent lives, and challenges brought by new technologies, U.N. agencies should seek solutions rather than chant slogans. The Pact for the Future was adopted at the Summit of the Future last September. It is important to follow that up with coordinated efforts of implementation, i.e. to turn the road map into a construction plan and a wonderful vision into substantive actions.
The situation in the Middle East remains fragile and tense. Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people, not a bargaining chip in political trade-offs. “The Palestinians governing Palestine” is an important principle that must be followed in the post-conflict governance of Gaza. It is vital to uphold the two-State solution, press for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, and bring lasting peace and security to the Middle East.
The Ukraine crisis has dragged on and kept escalating for nearly three years. Recently, the pursuit of dialogue and negotiation has gained momentum. Since the start of the crisis, China has been calling for a political settlement and pushing for peace talks. China supports all efforts conducive to peace. In line with the four points about what must be done proposed by President Xi Jinping, we will continue to work with other countries, especially the Global South countries, to make more objective, balanced and rational voices heard, to build consensus for ending the conflict, and to pave the way for peace.
Mr. Secretary General,
Colleagues,
Eighty years ago, Chinese representatives were the first to solemnly sign the U.N. Charter, writing with a Chinese calligraphy brush an important chapter in world history. Since the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the U.N., we have remained steadfast in making China’s contribution to global governance. A community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative—the vision and initiatives put forth by President Xi Jinping represent China’s proposal for the reform and improvement of global governance.
We pursue peace and security in global governance. As a major country with the best track record on peace and security, China is committed to following a path of peaceful development, to resolving disputes and differences by peaceful means, and to constructively promoting the settlement of hotspot issues. Chinese Blue Helmets have become a crucial force in U.N. peacekeeping operations, keeping the hope of world peace alive.
We advance common development in global governance. As the largest developing country in the world, China pursues high-quality development as a top priority and promotes high-standard opening up with firm resolve. It has become the major trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions. China advocates a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and promotes high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as part of its contribution to the prosperity and development of countries around the world.
We champion openness and inclusiveness in global governance. As a time-honored civilization, China believes in harmony without uniformity, embraces inclusiveness, respects cultural diversity, and advocates humanity’s common values. China promotes exchanges, dialogue, and peaceful and harmonious coexistence among civilizations with a broad mind, in a bid to provide fresh impetus to the progress of human civilization.
We uphold multilateral cooperation in global governance. As a founding member of the United Nations, China takes the lead in following true multilateralism. China is a member of almost all universal intergovernmental organizations and a party to over 600 international conventions and their amendments. China supports the U.N. in playing a central role in international affairs and makes continuous contribution to the U.N. cause.
Mr. Secretary General,
Colleagues,
China in the new era is walking with big strides and confidence along the bright path of Chinese modernization. As it continues to make new progress, China will provide more opportunities for the modernization of the world. With the U.N. about to enter its next 80 years, China stands ready to work with all parties to draw wisdom from history, open a new era for multilateralism, and make global governance more fair and equitable.
Thank you.