China’s foreign minister: China committed to multilateralism

In the face of new developments and severe challenges, China will remain a champion of multilateralism, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

"What we see today is that international rules and multilateral mechanisms are under attack, and the international landscape is filled with uncertainties and destabilizing factors,’’ he said Friday in an address at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Wang said that to face the challenges, steady reform and improvement is needed.

China has upheld international order and pursued multilateralism unremittingly, he said, adding that China believes to uphold multilateralism in the new era, four principles need to be adhered.

"We must pursue win-win cooperation... We must act upon rules and order... We must uphold fairness and justice..." said Wang.

"And we must act to deliver real results," he added.

Wang stressed that it's imperative to work together to uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core as well as the multilateral trading system centering on the World Trade Organization.

"Multilateralism requires a strong United Nations," Wang said, expressing China's support for Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his efforts to advance reform of the UN in the critical areas of peace and security, economic development and internal management.

Wang said that as a major responsible country, China commits itself to the path of peaceful development, and China will work with other countries and contribute its share to global peace and security.

Talking about economic globalization, Wang said it should not be a process for some to gain and others to lose, still less should it result in widening the North and the South.

"It is important that we adapt ourselves to the trend of economic globalization, and see to it that such a process is open, inclusive, balanced and win-win to deliver benefits to all," he said.

For international trade, Wang said protectionism will only hurt oneself, and unilateral moves will bring damage to all.

On trade frictions, he said that China stands for a proper settlement based on rules and consensus through dialogue and consultation on an equal footing.

"China will not be blackmailed or yield to pressure," said Wang, saying China has taken steps not just to defend its own legitimate rights and interests, but also to act to uphold the free trade system and international rules and order for the benefit of global recovery and the common interests of all countries.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up program.

Wang said over the past 40 years, Chinese people have worked hard and forged ahead successfully along a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

This path has not only brought fundamental changes to China, but also provided the world with opportunities for common development, he said.

As the largest developing country in the world, Wang said "to strengthen cooperation and solidarity with other developing countries has been and will continue to be the staunch strategic priority for China’s diplomacy."

"This is determined by what defines China as a country and by the system and values China upholds. No matter how much China has grown in strength, and however the international landscape may change, this strategic priority of China will remain unchanged," he said.