Your Excellency Mr. Samuel Moncada, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Venezuela,

Colleagues,

I thank Venezuela for hosting this special event on behalf of our Group of Friends, to commemorate the “International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace”. It is a highly important and timely initiative given the current international landscape. 

As we speak, the world today is facing a complex mix of challenges. Deficits in peace, development, security, and governance are on the rise. The international community finds itself once again at a crossroads. 

The only right path forward in the face of various global challenges is to uphold and practice true multilateralism. In the next two years, the UN will host the Summit of the Future and celebrate its 80th anniversary. We must seize this opportunity to rally the international community around the UN banner, work together to promote multilateralism, and build a shared future for all humanity. 

First, we must safeguard the authority of the UN Charter. We face many challenges today, not because the Charter is outdated, but because its purposes and principles have not been effectively delivered. Our commitment to the authority and effectiveness of the Charter must be reflected in concrete actions — promoting dialogue and cooperation, resolving disputes in peaceful means, rejecting exclusive blocs, and opposing the so-called “democracy vs. autocracy” narratives, just to name a few. 

The Summit of the Future in September is crucial for global governance reform, and for setting the direction of the UN. We look forward to a Summit that reaffirms our commitments to the UN Charter and reinvigorates our confidence in multilateralism.

Second, we must uphold the international order underpinned by international law. In today’s fluid and turbulent international landscape, we must always adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and handle international affairs in accordance with international law. This is an important guarantee for upholding fairness and justice, addressing global challenges, and defending the sovereignty, security, and development interests of all countries.

There is only one order in the world, which is the international order underpinned by international law. Yet, some countries, on the one hand, present their own agenda as a “rules-based international order” and impose it on others, while, on the other hand, enforce illegal unilateral sanctions, blatantly undermining international law and weakening the authority of the multilateral system. Such behavior must be firmly rejected. 

Third, we must ensure that all countries can participate in international affairs on equal terms. The multilateral system with the UN at its core carries the common expectations of all peoples. It should serve the interests of all countries, in particular, the vast majority of developing countries.

We advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world where all countries are equal regardless of their size, and call for greater democracy in international relations. We oppose hegemony, power politics, and the practice of a handful of countries monopolizing international affairs. The Summit of the Future needs to respond to the calls of the international community. It must help accelerate the reform of the international financial architecture, enhance the representation, voice, and decision-making power of the Global South, and contribute to a more just and equitable global governance system. 

Not long ago, because of the veto by the United States, the application by Palestine for full membership at the UN has been rejected. China finds it most disappointing. The wheel of history is rolling forward. The trend of the times cannot be reversed. We are convinced that the day will come when the State of Palestine will enjoy the same rights as other member states at the UN. China will continue to make unremitting efforts to this end.

Colleagues,

China has always been a supporter, champion, and practitioner of true multilateralism. We firmly support the UN’s central role in international affairs. President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, all of which are closely aligned with the UN’s mission and the spirit of multilateralism. Going forward, China will work more closely with the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter and the broader international community, to address common challenges and build a better, brighter future for all.

Thank you.