China calls for respecting diverse paths to modernization

A Chinese ambassador on Tuesday urged the international community to support developing countries' post-conflict peacebuilding efforts, specifically the need to respect different civilizations and diverse paths to modernization.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told a UN Security Council open debate on "peacebuilding and sustaining peace" that the international community should support the efforts of developing countries to stand up to foreign interference.

Each country has its own unique history and culture and is entitled to follow a development path in line with its own national conditions, Zhang said. He noted that attempts by foreign powers to promote regime change have plunged countries such as Libya and Syria into civil strife and resulted in Afghanistan falling into a vicious cycle.

"History tells us that a world where peace and development prevail is one that comprises different forms of civilization as well as diverse paths to modernization. On the question of how a country should be governed, it is the people of that country who should have the final say," Zhang said.

Countries should respect each other's choices regarding development paths and political systems, the ambassador said.

In addition, the international community should encourage parties to hot spot issues to seek solutions that reflect realities on the ground and support regional organizations in playing an important role in resolving regional issues.

The community should also "resolutely oppose" spreading hate speech and misleading information, as well as inciting enmity between different communities, including through the abuse of the internet, Zhang said.

Zhang urged the international community to support the efforts of developing countries in maintaining national unity. To govern any country, it is essential to respect the diversity of society, and at the same time, stay committed to maintaining national unity. These two goals are not incompatible or mutually exclusive, he said.

For many developing countries, maintaining national unity is more urgent, he said, noting that many conflict situations currently on the Security Council's agenda are the result of "intensified intercommunal disputes and weakened national identities".

"China calls on all parties to internal conflicts to put the interests of their country and people first, set aside communal and partisan differences, build up political consensus, and establish and consolidate a broad and inclusive political architecture. We support the United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions in redoubling their efforts in this regard going forward," Zhang said.

Zhang called on the international community to support the efforts of developing countries to achieve inclusive development.

Development is the master key to solving all problems, and decent living for all is the fundamental guarantee for the realization of lasting peace, he said.

He stressed that in the post-conflict peacebuilding process, countries concerned should uphold a people-centered approach, formulate inclusive development policies, mobilize people's initiative at all levels of society, and adopt a grow-the-pie mindset in national development.

"This is the economic basis for achieving national harmony and enhancing social cohesion," the envoy said.

At a time when the world economy is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, developing countries are in a more disadvantaged position in international economic relations, and the goal of inclusive development remains elusive, Zhang said.

"We must improve global economic governance and rectify the unjust and unreasonable arrangements in the current system through reforms, so that developing countries can participate in and benefit from international economic cooperation on an equal footing," he said.

"We should support developing countries to address uneven development within their borders, pay more attention to vulnerable groups, redistribute the pie, allow everyone to benefit from the fruits of development, prevent the polarization of wealth and leave no one behind," he added.

The global threats and challenges confronting mankind require a strong commitment to solidarity and a collective response under the banner of the UN, the ambassador said.

"China stands ready to work with other countries to practice true multilateralism, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly build a better world," Zhang said.