Crucial time for countries to pay dues for world: China Daily editorial

China actively supports the work of the United Nations, firmly safeguards the international system with the UN as its core, and upholds the principles of the UN Charter with concrete actions, including fulfilling its financial obligations to the intergovernmental organization in full, on time, and without conditions.

Setting a good example for other countries, China had paid its dues for 2021 to the organization by Tuesday, according to a statement released by China's UN mission that day. It had paid the "remaining assessments for seven peacekeeping operations" of the UN in late February.

It is therefore not out of place for the Chinese mission at the UN, in its statement, to call on other member states to "fulfill their legal obligations, actively respond to the appeals of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and pay all assessments as soon as possible" to ensure the UN can fulfill its duties.

However, this is not the first time China has made such an appeal and it is likely to fall on some deaf ears again.

The world body's annual operating budget is about $3.2 billion, and its peacekeeping spending is around $6.5 billion a year. It has been caught in a "financial crisis" for years mainly due to the defaults of some major contributors, particularly the United States. While the US is the largest contributor to the UN, providing in principle about 22 percent of the operating budget and nearly 28 percent of the expenditure on peacekeeping missions, it is also the largest debtor.

According to UN officials, the US now owes about $1.3 billion to the UN, including $700 million for the current year. By delaying and withholding payment, the US administration is trying to pressure the organization to act as it dictates.

Considering the novel coronavirus outbreak has dramatically increased the UN's expenditure, the US' outstanding dues and lowering of its share in the peacekeeping assessments from 28 percent to 25 percent and withdrawing from the UN World Health Organization, as ordered by the previous US president, are undermining the UN's mandates and reform efforts.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China resuming its lawful seat in the UN. Over the past 50 years, China has always contributed to the development and progress of multilateralism, as a staunch contributor to global development and an effective protector of the postwar international order.

And as President Xi Jinping said in his speech at the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations in September last year, China will continue to firmly uphold the UN-centered international system, firmly uphold the international order underpinned by international law, and firmly defend the UN's central role in international affairs.

As part of this endeavor, China firmly supports the world body strengthening its budget performance management and internal controls so as to support its response to the pandemic and guarantee the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.