What voices will China bring to the UNGA?
Updated 13:34, 23-Sep-2019
By Le Tian, Shi Yu
01:41

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) starting on Tuesday, a week before the 70th National Day of People's Republic of China (PRC).

The week-long session is considered the largest gathering of world leaders. This year, 143 heads-of-state and government are believed to have registered to speak at the high-level meetings.

The theme of this year's General Debate is "Galvanizing multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion."

According to the foreign ministry, as a special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang Yi will attend the UN 2019 Climate Action Summit, the 2019 Sustainable Development Goals Summit and a series of multilateral and bilateral events during the session.

During the debate, Wang is expected to elaborate on China's foreign policy and propositions regarding the international situation as well as major international and regional issues.

Given the critical timing, many expect that apart from China's foreign policies and propositions regarding the international situation, Wang will also introduce the path and achievements of China in the past 70 years in his speech.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, September 28, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, September 28, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

China's vision: Voicing for multilateralism and common development

China voices its support for multilateralism and firm opposition to unilateralism and protectionism as the main theme in its position paper. Based on the paper, Wang's speech is likely to have a similar tone.

When meeting with the new UNGA president in July in Beijing, Wang has told him that China will continue to firmly support the UN in playing its due role and support the work of the UNGA.

The Chinese side supports and is willing to cooperate with the General Assembly in making new progress in key work including sustainable development, climate change, the rights and interests of women and youth, and international peace and security, Wang added.

Read more:

Guterres hails China's cooperation with, contributions to UN

China, as a founding member of the UN, has always supported an international system built around the UN, an international order underpinned by international law and the multilateral trading system centered around the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to the paper, it recognizes the UN as the "most universal, representative and authoritative" inter-governmental organization, and is committed to "tackling the numerous global challenges and building an open, inclusive world that enjoys lasting peace and common prosperity."

To fulfill the commitment, China proposed a vision of "building a new model of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind."

It is a Chinese vision to international relations and global development that represents the common values and shared interests of the mankind as well as China's great contribution to the global governance and multilateralism. 

As the "centerpiece" of China's major-country diplomacy and a vision that was incorporated into a UN resolution for the first time with the feature of inclusiveness and common development, many expect that Wang is going to give a more thorough explanation in his speech.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in New York, September 27, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in New York, September 27, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

China's solution: Peaceful, legitimate, and constructive

Apart from China's vision, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, its view and proposed solution to major international and regional issues are of equal concern for the public.

Among all the hot-button issues, Korean Peninsula nuclear issues, Iranian nuclear issue and recent turbulence in the Middle East are likely to be addressed during the debate, while China' solution is always consistent and clear. The paper uses three words to describe it, namely peaceful, legitimate, and constructive.

As was repeatedly stressed by the foreign ministry, China calls for political solution that settles disputes and differences through dialogue. It firmly opposes the "maximum pressure" policy proposed by the U.S. and any unilateral actions, such as arbitrary use or threats of use of force that could escalate tensions.

As a responsible major country and defender of the international order, China always follow the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. It respects the sovereignty and appeals for mutual respect for each other's interests.

It calls on all parties concerned to remain restraint and meet each other halfway with phased and synchronized steps so as to create favorable condition for settlements.

02:42

Since Wang is going to attend the Climate Action Summit on Tuesday, China's stance on addressing climate change may be another talking point on his agenda. As written in the position paper, China has always proposed common but differentiated responsibilities, equity and respective capabilities in tackling climate change.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday's message also expressed the hope to work with China on climate change saying he commend China for its work on climate solutions based on nature, and for pledging to update its climate target by 2020.

Wang is likely to reiterate China's active role in seeking the implementation of the Paris Agreement and promoting international climate cooperation in his speech.

Regarding sustainable development, China, as the largest developing country in the world, has also been a pioneer in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Given that Wang will also attend the 2019 Sustainable Development Goals Summit during his trip, a further introduction to China's development is likely to be presented during the summit.

China is now the second-largest contributor to the UN regular budget with its contributions rising from 7.92 percent in the 2016-2018 period to 12.01 percent in the 2019-2021 period. 

Path of China's 70 years' development

According to Wang's agenda revealed by the foreign ministry, he will attend the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition on the achievements of the the People's Republic of China (PRC) since its founding 70 years ago. Thus, introducing China's development in the past 70 years is supposed to be a highlight in Wang's tour.

"The past seven decades witnessed the common progress of China and the rest of the world," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, in a reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC last Friday, adding that the country is a founding member of the UN.

"China has witnessed the development of the UN and the UN has also seen China's outstanding contribution to world peace and development," added Zhang.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN speaks during a reception held by China's permanent mission to the UN, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in New York, U.S., September 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN speaks during a reception held by China's permanent mission to the UN, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in New York, U.S., September 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Guterres hailed China's cooperation and contributions to the world organization in a message to the reception.

"It's a pleasure to be with you to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China has been a key participant in the work of our organization and has played a central role as a pillar of international cooperation and multilateralism," said Guterres.

Wang's schedule involves a series of multilateral and bilateral events. He will host a meeting between the foreign ministers of the permanent members of the Security Council and the UN General-Secretary, the foreign minsters' meeting between China and the African members of the Security Council, foreign ministers' meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum and the foreign ministers' dialogue between China and the CELAC Quartet.

Besides, the foreign minister will also meet with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Troika collectively and attend the open debates of the UN Security Council, BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, and commemorative activities for the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

(With input from Xinhua)