Wang Yi: UN irreplaceable in maintaining world peace

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday that the United Nations (UN) has played an irreplaceable role in maintaining world peace and promoting human progress, noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the comments when meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the Chinese port city of Tianjin.

As the current international situation has undergone profound changes, Wang told Guterres, the UN's role must be strengthened, not weakened. Guterres is in Tianjin to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025.

The best commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is to uphold the correct view of World War II history, adhere to the concept of multilateralism, and support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, Wang said.

As a responsible major country and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said China looks forward to deepening comprehensive cooperation with the UN, supporting the UN in building a more effective global governance system through reform, and seeking to usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for the world.

Noting unilateralism and power politics seriously undermine the UN and the multilateral system, Guterres said Global South countries, including China, are playing an increasingly important role in promoting world peace and development.

Hailing China's adherence to multilateralism and firm support for the UN, Guterres said the UN is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly promote the improvement of global governance.