Chinese FM urges UN to play guiding role in global governance

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that the United Nations (UN) should play a guiding role in promoting better global governance.

Wang made the remarks during his speech at the General Debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

The United Nations is at the core of the modern international institutions, and it should promote democratization, rule of law and rationalization in international relations, he said.

The minister also said that all of the United Nation's 193 members, big or small, rich or poor, should be equal, adding that they should enjoy equal rights, opportunities and rules in international affairs.

He also urged all UN member states to jointly make international rules, handle global affairs, and share the fruits of development, adding that the United Nations also needs to constantly improve its system and mechanisms so as to better represent the interests of most countries and better reflect the changes in the international situation.

The United Nations should make sure that international laws are enforced in a comprehensive and accurate fashion, and that the foundations for these laws and the world order are firm, said Wang.

On globalization, Wang said the United Nations should try to promote the rebalancing of globalization in a direction that is open, inclusive, balanced and all-win.

Also in his speech, Wang called on the United Nations to be a promoter of international development.

He urged the UN member states to synergize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with their respective development strategies to eradicate hunger and poverty.

All member states should ensure fair, inclusive and quality education so that people can enjoy a lifetime of learning opportunities, said Wang, adding that the United Nations should enhance its role as a major channel for stronger North-South cooperation, and strengthen South-South cooperation at the same time.

On climate change, Wang said the United Nations should continue to follow up regarding the implementation of the Paris Agreement reached in 2015, and call on all parties to follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and to deepen international cooperation in addressing climate challenge.

Speaking on the refugee problem, Wang maintained that the root causes for the refugee problem are regional instability and unbalanced development.

He said the United Nations should deal with humanitarian emergencies and help related countries and regions to achieve development simultaneously.

Wang also said that global economic recovery and growth are still a daunting task. The United Nations should encourage all parties to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation to build an open world economy.

He also suggested that the world should seize the opportunities presented by a new round of scientific and technological revolution.

Regarding world peace, Wang called on the United Nations to be the world's peacekeeper.

"Maintaining peace and security is the core aim of the UN Charter and the top priority of the UN," he said, adding that the United Nations should promote security which is common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable.

"The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council should take a leading role and follow the principle of no conflicts and no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. The UN members should treat each other as equals, pursue dialogue rather than confrontation, and forge partnerships instead of alliances," he added.

To better fight terrorism, Wang said the United Nations needs a comprehensive strategy as well as efforts to address both symptoms and root causes, avoid double standards, and should not label terrorism as being associated with specific ethnic groups or religions.

To solve hot-spot issues, political means are the fundamental solution. The United Nations should play the role of the main channel to prevent conflicts, Wang said.

Wang also urged the United Nations to be a communicator among different human civilizations, saying that each civilization should seek common ground while reserving differences and learning from each other.

He said all nations should be encouraged and respected when they choose development paths that fit their respective conditions, adding that countries with different systems and paths should respect and learn from each other for common progress.

The United Nations should be a stage for countries of different systems to get along harmoniously, and act as a bridge for communication and dialogue, Wang said.

Wang said that two years ago, right at this podium, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for building a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at the core, and put forward his vision of building a community of shared future for mankind.

Both are major concepts by the Chinese president based on his understanding of the global trend, Wang said, adding that the two proposals are highly compatible with the pursuit of the UN members and have received widespread support from the international community.