UN chief hails China's role in defending multilateralism

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‍Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday and called for economic globalization to be made open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial.

"The world economy is recovering now, but unilateralism and trade protectionism are on the rise," Li said.

The UN chief talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, April 8, 2018. Parker Song/Pool via Reuters

Guterres said the UN highly appreciates China's positive role in the multilateral system. "Multilateralism and global cooperation should be the solution to economic globalization," he added.

The UN chief also met Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the General Office of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs on Sunday in Beijing.

Yang said China firmly supports the UN's role and is willing to work with it to safeguard world peace and safety, and to promote economic and social development.

The UN chief greets Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the General Office of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs, April 8, 2018./Reuters Photo

Yang noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has systematically elaborated on promoting the building of a new type of international relations as well as a community of shared future for mankind.

"The international community generally supports and believes that this is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It has major practical and long-term significance," he said.

Yang and Guterres also discussed matters of mutual concern.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met Guterres on Sunday, emphasizing strong support for multilateralism.

Wang said he believes the UN should be the core of the global governance system, and individual countries should work to complete this.

Regarding the recent China-US trade tensions, Wang reiterated China's commitment to protect free trade and multilateralism.

"China will protect the multilateral trading system and – through action – oppose protectionism in any form. This not only protects China's own rights and interests, but the common interests of all countries."

Guterres echoed Wang's opinion. He said the UN and China share the same view that "global problems need global solutions." "The way to address some of the hiccups that exist in globalization is not to put globalization to question, but on the contrary to improve globalization," he said.

File photo of Chinese peacekeeping troops in South Sudan /AFP Photo

Wang also stressed China's firm support of the UN.

The two sides also exchanged views on current international and regional issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Guterres will visit a training center for peacekeeping forces during his visit.

China has sent about 2,500 peacekeepers in 10 special troops around the world, including in South Sudan, Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Darfur in the west of Sudan.

China has also sent its first helicopter troop to the peacekeeping efforts in Africa.

It also has a peacekeeping standby force of 8,000 troops.

(CGTN's Wang Hui also contributed to the story.)