China-proposed Global Governance Initiative could not be more timely: FM

The Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by China could not be more timely, as made clear by the support and responses it quickly gained from more than 150 countries and international organizations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Beijing on Sunday.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

"In today's world, challenges of a global nature keep emerging, the governance deficit becomes more prominent, and multilateralism is under severe shock. The Global Governance Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping could not be more timely and was quickly echoed and supported by over 150 countries and international organizations. The UN Secretary-General commented on the spot that the core concepts of the Global Governance Initiative align closely with the values upheld by the UN," Wang said.

China then initiated the Group of Friends of Global Governance, which was successively launched at the UN headquarters in New York and its office in Geneva. Many countries, especially those in the Global South, joined the group with great enthusiasm, he noted.

The GGI fully meets the common expectations of the international community and reflects the shared aspirations of people from all countries, according to the foreign minister.

"The most clear-cut signal from the Global Governance Initiative is that the leading status of the UN must be upheld, not challenged; the central role of the UN must be strengthened, not weakened," Wang said.

Without the UN, the world would be worse. Creating parallel structures outside the UN or, worse still, putting together various exclusive blocs and circles is unpopular and unsustainable, the foreign minister said.

"The most unequivocal requirement of the Global Governance Initiative is that the UN must keep pace with the times, improve its governance system through reform, and adapt to the evolving international situation and the changing dynamics in the global balance of power in the 21st century. In particular, it should increase the voice and representation of countries in the Global South and better reflect the legitimate demands of developing countries. The goal is to build a more just and equitable global governance system," Wang said.

"China is a founding member of the UN and a staunch defender of its cause. As the largest developing country, China is more conscious of the ardent expectations of Global South countries. Both the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, in which China participated in building, take abiding by the UN Charter as their primary guideline, and both are exploring and accumulating useful experience for reforming and improving global governance. China calls on more countries to participate in and support the Global Governance Initiative, and to work together to revitalize the UN, defend the UN, and make the UN stronger," he said.

The 14th NPC, China's top legislature, is holding its annual session from Thursday through March 12.

China-proposed Global Governance Initiative could not be more timely: FM

Peace, cooperation and friendship should be the new narrative of the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Wang made the statement at a press conference in Beijing on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's supreme organ of state power.

"The South China Sea is home to the world's busiest, safest and freest shipping lanes. Over the past year, cooperation in the South China Sea has maintained a sound momentum. China had in-depth discussions with Indonesia on joint maritime development. China held bilateral dialogue with Malaysia on maritime issues and carried out cooperation with Vietnam on sustainable fisheries development. Just recently, China Coast Guard successfully rescued over a dozen Filipino crewmen distressed at the South China Sea. All these are ample proof that peace, cooperation and friendship should be the new narrative of the South China Sea. Making waves wins no hearts and fermenting trouble finds no takers," said Wang.

To achieve lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea requires solid institutional support, noted Wang, highlighting that consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), a long-sought framework to manage differences, have now reached a critical juncture.

"To achieve lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea requires solid institutional support. As we continue with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, the COC, as you mentioned, has reached crunch time. All relevant parties look forward to wrapping it up this year. Together with the parties, China has the confidence and the resolve to remove interference, bridge differences, expand common ground and reach an agreement as soon as possible. The COC will provide the golden rules for the parties to effectively manage differences, build trust, and advance cooperation," he said.

The foreign minister called for the Philippines to fulfill its responsibility as this year's ASEAN chair and make positive contributions to regional peace and stability.

"We hope that as this year's ASEAN chair, the Philippines will recognize and fulfill its responsibility, resist the pull of self-interest, and play a positive and constructive role for peace and stability in the region," said Wang.

The fourth session of the 14th NPC opened on Thursday and is scheduled to run till March 12.

Peace, cooperation, friendship should be new narrative of South China Sea: Chinese FM