Your Excellency Espinosa, Foreign Minister of Ecuador,

Mr. Chairman,

I wish to start by paying tribute and expressing my thanks to Ecuador as the Chair of the Group of 77 for 2017. Under the leadership of Ecuador, the Group of 77 and China has strengthened its unity and participated comprehensively and deeply in the work of the UN in economic, social and development areas. By safeguarding common interests of the developing countries and international justice, the Group of 77 has further elevated its status and become an important driving force for international cooperation for development.

I wish to warmly congratulate Egypt on its assumption of the chairmanship of the Group of 77 in 2018. Egypt exerts significant influence in regional and international affairs. China enjoys deep traditional friendship with Egypt and the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries is making steady headway. I am convinced that under Egypt’s leadership, the Group of 77 and China will maintain its cohesion and collaboration in its effort to push for common development of the developing countries.

2018 is an important year for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We need to promote the United Nations to pay more attention on development issues, and make sure that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda take poverty eradication and development promotion as the core tasks and focus on the following:

First, adhere to a global governance concept characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution and benefit sharing, advance more open, inclusive, universal and balanced economic globalization that produces win-win results, and ensure that such globalization benefit all countries, especially the developing ones. Secondly, continuously increase the representation and voice of emerging markets and the developing countries, promote the reform of international economic, financial and governance systems, and improve the external environment for the development of the developing countries. Thirdly, support the UN system in carrying out necessary and reasonable reform to realize self-improvement and development. The repositioning of the development system must be driven by member states, reflect the concerns of the developing countries, and provide greater support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by member states, especially the developing countries. Fourthly, expand South-South cooperation, enhance cooperation in all areas, and take South-South cooperation to a new height.

Mr. Chairman,

China will continue to deepen coordination and cooperation with members of the Group of 77, go all out to support the work of Egypt as the chair of the Group of 77, and firmly safeguard the common interest of the developing countries. China will hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcome, resolutely maintain the authority and status of the United Nations, and work hard to establish a new type of international relations and build a community of shared future for mankind.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.