Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday met in Beijing with Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the president-elect of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Both sides agreed to uphold the principle of multilateralism in the UNGA.

Li congratulated Muhammad-Bande on his election as the new president of the 74th session of the UNGA, and said that the prevailing unilateralism, protectionism, hegemony and power politics pose serious threats to the existing international order.

He said since its establishment, the UN has played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding world peace and security for over 70 years, promoting global development and international cooperation. China supports the UNGA in preparing for activities marking the 75th anniversary of the organization next year and commemorating the UN's significant role in safeguarding multilateralism, sovereign equality, and peaceful resolutions, Li said.

He also stressed that as a founding member of the UN, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world’s largest developing country, China will firmly uphold the international system with the UN as its core, the basic norms governing international relations embodied in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. He added that China will endeavor to work with other nations to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also attended the meeting.

Wang told Muhammad-Bande that he expects to hear voices to support multilateralism at the upcoming 74th session of the UNGA in September.

He added that China would like to cooperate with the UNGA to make new progress in key tasks such as sustainable development, climate change, women's and youth's rights, and international peace and security.

Muhammad-Bande said, "As the incoming president of the UNGA, I firmly support multilateralism and will safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," adding that he will work in an objective and fair manner.

Muhammad-Bande also said that under the current circumstances, the international community is in need of multilateralism and international cooperation more than ever. He expressed gratitude to China for its consistent support for the work of the UNGA and its willingness to deepen cooperation in key areas of work of the new session of UNGA. He said he will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with China.

(With input from Xinhua)