World
20:41, 08-Apr-2019
China backs multilateralism initiative by France, Germany: spokesman
Updated
22:15, 08-Apr-2019
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China is supporting a move by France and Germany to launch an Alliance for Multilateralism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Monday, stressing that Beijing backs any effort to promote global cooperation.
"China has always been a firm defender, supporter and practitioner of multilateralism," Lu said.
He added that the world needs multilateralism more than ever at a time of deepening globalization and multipolarization as well as increasing global challenges.
The German-French initiative, aimed at promoting global cooperation at a time of rising nationalism and isolationism, will be officially launched in September at the United Nations General Assembly.
Lu drew attention to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to France, where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at the closing ceremony of the Global Governance Forum co-hosted by China and France.
President Xi systematically laid out China's proposal to safeguard multilateralism, strengthen international dialogue and cooperation, and work with other nations to improve global governance, trust, peace and development, Lu said.
"We are willing to work with all parties to safeguard the international order and international system centered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and to safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as the core," he added.
Lu also noted that China has called on all parties to jointly promote the establishment of a new type of international relations of mutual respect, fairness, justice, cooperation and win-win, and work together to build "a community with a shared future for mankind."