China has reiterated its steadfast backing for an international framework centered on the United Nations and true multilateralism, as stated by Sun Lei, Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Mission to the UN. In her address at the Secretary-General’s annual priorities briefing, Sun laid out Beijing’s roadmap for a stable world.
Partnering with diverse stakeholders, China is dedicated to upholding peace, accelerating development, and constructing a community of shared human destiny. This comes against a backdrop of global disorder, where the UN grapples with mounting pressures.
‘The greater the international complexities, the more vital it becomes to defend the UN’s prestige and pivotal position,’ Sun remarked. She insisted on rigorously maintaining the UN Charter’s core tenets.
Advancing the organization’s three pillars in harmony is essential, she argued. Peace and security, development efforts, and human rights initiatives form an interconnected triad that demands equal attention.
Placing development front and center for the Global South is imperative, Sun emphasized, alongside reforms to modernize global governance mechanisms.
This pronouncement aligns with China’s broader diplomatic push, evidenced by its increased UN funding and troop contributions to peacekeeping missions. It positions Beijing as a counterweight to perceived U.S. unilateralism.
Analysts interpret the speech as a strategic move to garner support from the 130-plus developing nations that dominate UN membership. By prioritizing their concerns, China enhances its soft power.
Challenges persist, including accusations of selective multilateralism. Yet, Sun’s optimistic tone signals confidence in the UN’s enduring value.
As 2024 unfolds with elections and conflicts worldwide, China’s UN advocacy could prove decisive in shaping responses to existential threats like pandemics and climate change.