Madame Chair,

China associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Egypt on behalf of Group of 77 and China.

The world today is witnessing tremendous changes unseen in the century. The international situation is fraught with instability and uncertainty. Achieving the sustainable development goals on schedule is an uphill fight. The implementation of the 2030 sustainable development agenda hinges on actions. We expect the Second Committee to facilitate dialogue and consultations among all parties on an equal footing during the current session of the General Assembly, and back multilateralism with actions to accelerate the implementation of 2030 agenda.

First, focus on priority areas and achieve quality development. Member states should incorporate sustainable development goals into their own national development strategies, enhance the quality of development, and jointly embark on an innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development path. The international community should prioritize development issues in its global macro policy framework, give attention to priority areas such as poverty eradication, infrastructure building, education and health, provide technology transfer and support to developing countries, and help them strengthen capacity building.

Second, deepen international development cooperation and optimize development partnership. Addressing unbalanced and inadequate development in the developing countries is an urgent task for the international community. Achieving sustainable development goals presupposes sufficient resources. It is imperative to strengthen development partnership, and build a global development cooperation pattern centered around the United Nations, with South-North Cooperation as the main channel and South-South Cooperation as the supplement. Developed countries should timely honor their Official Development Assistance and climate finance commitments, support the developing countries in embarking on a development path that best suits their reality.

Third, firmly uphold multilateralism and improve international environment for development. At present, the world trade rules are sustaining shocks and the multilateral trading system is being challenged. Multilateralism is the bedrock for sustainable development. Firm commitment to multilateralism and opposition to unilateralism bear on the future development of all countries, and the sustainable development of the developing world in particular. All countries should commit to the goal of cooperation for win-win results, and based on rules and order, premised on equity and justice and guided by effective actions, maintain an international system centered around the United Nations and a multilateral trading system centered around the WTO so as to strengthen global economic governance and create a favorable international environment for development.

Madame Chair,

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Over the past four decades, China’s economy has grown by 9.5% on average annually. The per capita disposable income has increased by more than 100 times. Seven hundred million people have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for over 70% of the global total in the same period. China has built some 25,000 kilometers of high-speed railway, two thirds of the world’s total. China has also contributed to the economic globalization by sharing our development opportunities and results with all countries. Over the past 40 years since its reform and opening-up, China has seen an annual average growth of 14.5% for its external trade volume. Over the recent years, China has contributed more than 30% of the worldwide economic growth. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has become the largest platform for international cooperation. As of this past September, more than 130 countries and international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China. Next year, we will host the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and we welcome your participation in the Forum.

Madame Chair,

China will hold its first International Import Expo in Shanghai in November this year. This will be another step by China to further open its market. China is resolute in its reform and opening-up . No matter how the international situation evolves, China will never close itself up or retreat, and its door will be opened even wider. We will work with the general membership to promote win-win cooperation, push for an even more open, inclusive, balanced economic globalization that benefits all and jointly build a community of shared future for humankind.

Thank you, Madame Chair.