Premier Li: China supports building a more effective, pragmatic UN

China supports creating a more effective and pragmatic United Nations through reform efforts to improve its quality and performance, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks during his meeting with Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on the sidelines of the UNGA general debate.

He also reaffirmed China's strong commitment to supporting the authority and role of the United Nations.

As the world enters a new era of turbulence and transformation characterized by growing instability and uncertainty, Li stated that the role of the United Nations has become increasingly vital.

Noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently solemnly introduced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), Li said the move aims to support the United Nations in fulfilling its rightful role in global affairs and to encourage countries to work more closely and better address the challenges of the times through the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms.

China is prepared to strengthen coordination and communication with the United Nations and all involved parties in a joint effort to implement the GGI, promote the development of a more just and equitable global governance system, and work toward a community with a shared future for humanity, said the Chinese premier.

Li urged the United Nations to advance all three pillars of peace, development, and human rights in a balanced way and to place greater emphasis on the development agenda.

He said the United Nations should strengthen global governance in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, cyberspace, the polar regions, and outer space, while considering the legitimate propositions and demands of numerous developing countries.

Noting that the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, Li said China believes Baerbock and the United Nations will continue to uphold the one-China principle.

Baerbock said China has consistently been a strong supporter of the United Nations and has played a leading role in promoting global development and addressing worldwide challenges.

She said that the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi align well with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. She expressed hope to work with China around this year's UNGA theme – "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights" – to deepen cooperation across the three pillars, especially in development, and to jointly promote world peace and development.

Baerbock stated that, since UNGA Resolution 2758 is unambiguous, the 80th session of the UNGA will strictly follow the one-China principle.