The UN has played an irreplaceable role in upholding world peace and security, and advancing socioeconomic development over the past years, and its stature must be upheld, not replaced, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
At the general debate of the 80th UNGA session that opened this week, leaders of most countries in their speeches supported the UN's central role, but some cacophony coming from certain countries was also heard.
Commenting on the event, Guo said that as the most universal, representative and authoritative international inter-governmental organization in the world, the UN has played an irreplaceable role in upholding world peace and security, and advancing socioeconomic development over the past 80 years.
At the general debate of the 80th UNGA session, the vast majority of countries spoke up for defending multilateralism and supporting the role of the UN, which represents the world's prevailing consensus and shared aspiration, said Guo.
"The world lacks order not because the UN is outdated, but exactly because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are being breached and distorted. The major crises and challenges that have emerged in recent years keep reminding us that to address the issues of today, the role of the UN must be strengthened, not undermined, and its status must be upheld, not replaced," he said.
"For the UN to play its role, the key lies in solidarity and cooperation among all member states, major countries in particular, who should put the common interest of the international community first, observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, make objective and just judgments based on international law and basic norms governing international relations and play a positive and constructive role," he said.
As a founding member of the UN and permanent member of the UN Security Council, China fully participates in the UN's work in various fields, undertakes international obligations willingly and firmly defends multilateralism.
Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), and elaborated on the principles, method and path to follow for the reform and improvement of global governance. The core tenets of the GGI are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The initiative reaffirms the need for safeguarding the international system with the UN as its core. It is a vote of confidence in the UN and in multilateralism, said Guo.
"As we mark the 80th anniversary of the UN, China stands ready to continue working with all parties to stay committed to the founding mission of the UN, revitalize the organization's authority and vitality under new circumstances and make it an important platform for countries to enhance dialogue and cooperation, coordinate joint actions and respond to global challenges," he said.
China calls for upholding authority of UN
