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Statement by Ambassador Liu Zhenmin at the General Debate of the 2nd Committee of 61st UNGA Session

2006-10-03 00:00

Mme. Chairperson,

First of all, I would like to congratulate Your Excellency for being elected Chairman of the Second Committee of the current session. The Chinese Delegation will cooperate closely with you and the presidium to bring the work of our committee to a successful conclusion. The Chinese delegation also supports the statement made by the representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mme. Chairperson,

In the world today, the expansion of economic globalization, rapid progress of science and technology, and the faster flow of productive factors and industrial transfer have contributed to closer trade, investment and commercial links among states. Economic globalization has shown strong vitality and greatly changed the world. Some developing countries have achieved, through reform and opening up, marked progress in developing economy and eliminating poverty. They have become new rising stars in world economic development. At the same time, world economic and social development is still faced with increasing conflicts and challenges. The imbalanced economic development remains an outstanding issue, the gap between the North and the South continues to widen, there are increasing and new cases of trade protectionism, and such global problems as environmental pollution, natural disasters and infectious diseases are more prominent. It needs to point out in particular that many developing countries and especially the LDCs and African countries have been further marginalized, trapped in the vicious circle of "the poor becoming poorer".

The reality of the world today has shown that the globalization manipulated by the market is not balanced and weak. Only when the dividends are shared universally can the globalization be stable and lasting. We should therefore look at the issue of development from the perspective of global stability, increase input, strengthen coordination and cooperation and jointly build a harmonious world of universal development and common prosperity.

Firstly, mutually beneficial partnership is the basis for common development. To build global partnership for development has been included in the 2005 world summit outcome document. It should not stay on paper only. It should be materialized. The next period of time is the crucial moment for realizing the MDGs. National governments should seize the moment, formulate effective policies, create enabling environment, and turn consensus and commitments into measurable progress. Each country shoulders primary responsibility for its national development, and should implement comprehensive MDG-related development strategies. We should also recognize that due to the low starting point and weak foundation of developing countries, it is hard for them to make full use of the opportunities provided by the globalization. The international community, especially the developed countries, should understand their difficult position and reasonable requests, offer practical support in priority areas, increase development aid, extend debt relief, promote international trade and technical transfer and investment, and help them in capacity building for development. we should conduct both the far-sighted and mutually beneficial North-South cooperation and innovative and diversified South-South cooperation, mobilize all social forces, and make joint efforts for development.

Secondly, a sound multilateral trade system is the foundation for win-win outcome. Trade is an engine for economic growth. A just, fair, open and non-discriminative multilateral trade system is pivotal for the economic revitalization of all countries and especially the developing countries. The suspension of the Doha Round Talks is not in the interests of anybody. We hope that members of the WTO will show political sincerity, and the major developed countries in particular should take the lead in making substantial efforts to create conditions for restart of the talks. Economic growth of developing countries offers opportunities and not threats. Their comparative advantages should be brought into play. Members should make concerted efforts to remove barriers of trade protectionism, establish fair and competitive order, appropriately handle trade disputes, and avoid politicization of trade issues. With regard to those developing countries that are unable to make effective use of trade opportunities, the international community should adopt measures to help them in capacity building and strengthen their capacity to participate in world trade. As for the LDCs, the preferential measures such as duty-free and quota-free treatment for their exports should be materialized.

Thirdly, financial security is the guarantee for stable development. The world financial market is full of vicissitudes, and the importance of warding off financial risks cannot be over emphasized. We should make full use of stable economic growth in the world, reform and improve world financial system. The countries concerned should strengthen their coordination of macro economic policies and financial policies, so as to adjust the imbalanced economy. With the economic development and rising status, the developing countries should have more voices in world financial affairs. We welcome the Resolution on Quota and Voice Reform in the IMF. We hope that the second-stage reform will be implemented at an early date, focusing especially on increasing the basic votes by a significant margin, and raising the representation of the developing countries and low-income countries. The parties concerned should attach importance to cooperation on exploration of financial human resources and capacity building. They should pay special attention to helping the developing countries in financial capacity building so as to enable them to better fend off the risks.

Fourthly, natural resources and environment are important conditions for sustainable development. Currently, energy security is a prominent issue and has become a hidden threat for world economic development. Environmental deterioration is yet to be reversed, and this has eroded the development outcome and harmed sustainable development. In face with these grave challenges, countries should conduct close dialogue and cooperation to find solutions. In terms of energy, we should expand energy channels, jointly maintain energy market stability, use advanced technologies to raise the efficiency of energy and resources usage, and reduce the negative impacts on environment. In terms of environment, the international community should earnestly observe the environment and development cooperation related principles, in particular the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", fulfill commitments, transfer funds and technologies to the developing countries to reinforce their endeavor for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Lastly, the United Nations should play a central leading role in the field of development. We should build a fair and effective MDG evaluation framework, better coordinate world development policies and world monetary, financial and trade mechanisms, and create an enabling international environment for developing countries. We support efforts to increase investment development, ensure development resources, and consolidate through reform relevant UN development agencies.

Mme. Chairperson,

China always shares weal and woe with the developing countries and commits to common development. With its fairly rapid economic development, China has increased its support to the developing countries. At last year's 60th anniversary summit, President Hu Jintao announced five major measures to support the developing countries in their development endeavors. China has been implementing these measures vigorously. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit and the Third Ministerial Conference will be held in Beijing in November. We will propose new measures to support Africa's development, including debt relief, tariff exemption, increase in assistance and greater medical and human resources cooperation, with the goal of forging a new type of strategic partnership with Africa. Within the framework of South-South cooperation, China and other developing countries will continue to strengthen policy exchange, learn from and help each other. China will play a vigorous role in promoting common development of developing countries.

Mme. Chairperson,

China has formulated and implemented development strategies suitable to its national conditions. We have achieved substantial development progress. However, China remains the largest developing country in the world, and is still faced with many difficulties such as numerous poverty population, imbalanced development and huge environment pressure. The Chinese government will remain focused on economic and social development and steady improvement of people's living standard. At the beginning of this year, the Chinese government formulated and started to implement the "11th five year plan". China will establish and pursue a scientific outlook on development that makes economic and social development people-oriented, comprehensive, balanced and sustainable. While maintaining a stable and fairly rapid economic growth rate, we will strive to build a harmonious society. China will continue to raise efficiency of energy and resources usage, accelerate building resources cost effective society, protect biological environment, and enhance coordination among economic development, population, resources, and environment. China will commit to development that is peaceful, cooperative, open and harmonious, which allows the Chinese people to enjoy a decent and comfortable life and contributes to universal sharing of development dividends.

Thank you, Mme. Chairperson.

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