President Xi Jinping addresses a high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN via video link on September 21 (XINHUA)

At a meeting on September 21 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN and also at the general debate of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 22, President Xi Jinping shared his thoughts on global development and the role of the UN in the post-novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) era. Edited excerpts of Xinhua News Agency reports follow: 

At the high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN, President Xi Jinping urged all countries to oppose unilateralism, bullying and acting like the "boss of the world." Stressing that the UN must stand firm for justice, Xi said no country has the right to dominate global affairs, control the destiny of others, or keep all development advantages for itself. The representation of developing countries must be increased so that the UN is more balanced in reflecting the interests and wishes of the majority of countries in the world. 

Rule-based relations 

Xi said the UN must uphold the rule of law. Relations among countries and coordination of their interests must be based only on rules and institutions. "They must not be lorded over by those who wave a strong fist at others." 

Big countries should lead by example in advocating and upholding the international rule of law and honoring their commitments, he added. "There must be no exceptionalism or double standard. Nor should international law be distorted and used as a pretext to undermine other countries' legitimate rights and interests or world peace and stability." 

The Chinese president said the UN must promote cooperation, since "a Cold War mentality, ideological lines or zero-sum game are no solution to a country's problems, still less an answer to humanity's common challenges." "What we need to do is to replace conflict with dialogue, coercion with consultation and zero-sum with win-win," he added. Xi also said the UN must focus on real action: "To put into practice the principle of multilateralism, we must act, not just talk. There must be a cure, not just a therapy." 

The UN should aim at problem solving and move toward tangible outcomes as it advances security, development and human rights in parallel, he added. In particular, priority should be given to addressing non-traditional security challenges such as public health. 

An extraordinary journey 

Xi lauded the UN's role in 75 years, saying it has traveled an extraordinary journey. The 75 years have seen dramatic progress in human society and profound changes in the international situation, and been a period of rapid development of multilateralism. 

He said China firmly defends the central role of the UN in international affairs, the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. "Let us renew our firm commitment to multilateralism and work to promote a community with a shared future for humanity," he said. 

Addressing the general debate of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 22, which was held virtually for the first time due to the pandemic, Xi said countries should put people and life first and enhance solidarity. "COVID-19 reminds us that we are living in an interconnected global village with a common stake. This is why we should embrace the vision of a community with a shared future in which everyone is bound together," he said, calling on countries to see each other as members of the same big family, pursue win-win cooperation, rise above ideological disputes and not to fall into the trap of "clash of civilizations." 

"We should respect a country's independent choice of development path and model," he said. No country can gain from others' difficulties or maintain stability by taking advantage of others' troubles. Any attempt to politicize the pandemic or stigmatize must be rejected. Concern should be shown for the need of developing countries, especially African countries. 

Xi said economic globalization is an indisputable reality and a historical trend. The world will never return to isolation, and no one can sever the ties between countries. He called for full and balanced development that delivers benefit to people from all countries, sectors and backgrounds in an equitable way. He also called on countries to pursue open and inclusive development, remain committed to building an open world economy, and uphold the multilateral trading regime with the World Trade Organization as its cornerstone. 

"We should say no to unilateralism and protectionism, and work to ensure the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains," he said. 

Green revolution 

The pandemic reminds the world that humankind should launch a green revolution and move faster to create a green way of development and life, Xi said, urging all countries to pursue innovative, coordinated, green and open development for all, seize the historic opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and achieve a green recovery of the world economy in the post-COVID-19 era. 

China will scale up its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions by adopting more vigorous policies and measures, he said. China aims to ensure its carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. 

COVID-19 is not only a major test of the governance capacity of countries but also a test of the global governance system. "We should stay true to multilateralism and safeguard the international system with the UN at its core," he said. 

Global governance should be based on the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to ensure all countries enjoy equal rights and opportunities and follow the same rules. The global governance system should adapt itself to evolving global political and economic dynamics, meet global challenges and embrace the underlying trend of peace, development and win-win 

cooperation. 

Competition between countries should be positive and healthy and not breach the moral standard, Xi said. He called on major countries to provide more global public goods, take up their due responsibilities and live up to people's expectations. "We have no intention to fight either a Cold War or a hot war with any country," he said, adding that China will continue to narrow differences and resolve disputes with others through dialogue and negotiation. 

Ruan Zongze, Executive Vice President of the China Institute of International Studies, said Xi's remarks once again show that solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon in the face of COVID-19. 

Instead of shying away from problems, China is actively promoting a new type of better and balanced globalization, and contributing a China plan to achieve sustainable development for all UN member states, Ruan said. 

"China's commitment to promoting an open world economy represents the historical trend of globalization and the general direction of world development, which speaks volumes about China's sense of responsibility as a major country," said Gao Fei, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University. 

(Print Edition Title: A China Plan for Sustainable Development)

Copyedited by Sudeshna Sarkar 

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