China urges EU to uphold common security

A senior Chinese diplomat on Tuesday asked the European Union (EU) to uphold the idea of common security at a United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting on UN-EU cooperation.

China supports UN-EU cooperation in accordance with the purposes and the principles of the UN Charter, with a view to making greater contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security, enhancing the well-being of humanity, and addressing global challenges, said China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang.

China expects such cooperation to be guided by the principles of true multilateralism, common security and a common future for mankind, Geng said.

"As an advocate of multilateralism, the EU should take the lead in upholding the purposes and the principles of the UN Charter, respecting international law and universally recognized basic norms of international relations, defending the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core, and promoting solidarity and progress among nations under the banner of multilateralism," he said.

The security of one country cannot be secured at the expense of the security of others, Geng said, adding that there is no ground for achieving regional security by strengthening or even expanding military blocs.

The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and properly addressed, said the Chinese diplomat, adding that the EU should work with the UN to promote a political solution of hot-spot issues and to resolve conflicts and disputes by peaceful means.

The EU should work with other UN member states to promote consensus and action-oriented action at the Summit of the Future to be held later this year, so as to send a positive signal to the outside world about opening up new prospects for humankind, he said.

Noting the ultimate resolution of the Ukraine crisis must be through dialogue and negotiation, Geng said the EU, as an important stakeholder, should do more to promote political settlement and create favorable conditions for a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture in Europe.

Regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave, Geng said, "We hope that the EU will leverage its influence and role to make greater contributions to the promotion of an immediate cease-fire, the expansion of humanitarian assistance, the implementation of the two-state solution and the realization of lasting peace in the Middle East."

Africa is facing growing challenges in pursuing peace and development. China hopes that the EU will shoulder greater responsibility, adhere to the principle of African solutions to African problems, and support African countries in strengthening capacity-building to better address risks and challenges in realizing sustainable development, he said.

It is important to support the building of the collective security mechanism of the African Union (AU) and provide more predictable and sustainable financial contributions to AU-led peacekeeping and counterterrorism operations, he added.

China has always attached great importance to its relations with the EU, as it regards the latter as an important force in the process of multi-polarization. China is pleased to see the EU strengthen its strategic autonomy, play a greater role in international affairs, and make greater contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security, he said.

China is willing to deepen multilateral cooperation with the EU, work with the bloc to promote multilateralism, advocate opening and development, and advance dialogue among civilizations, so as to make unremitting efforts to safeguard world peace, promote common development, and strengthen global governance, said Geng. 

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: EU flags outside the Berlaymont building, the main headquarters of the European Commission in Belgium, Brussels, October 26, 2023. /CFP)