On January 20, the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations (USUN) published on its website “Fact Sheet: “Restoring America’s Leadership at the United Nations in President Biden’s First Year”, in which it boasts its so-called achievements in the UN in 2021, and makes groundless accusations against China. In response to media inquiry, Ambassador Zhang Jun made the following comments:

“It is just ridiculous and beyond all reason for the US to take countering China’s influence at the UN as the main task and achievement.

China’s contribution to world peace and development, as well as our support to the UN and help to other countries, are tangible and are there for everyone to see. What we seek is win-win cooperation rather than dominance, is equality rather than bullying, is openness and inclusiveness rather than exclusive blocs, and is peaceful coexistence rather than provocation for confrontation.

China stands with the trend of the times and the overwhelming majority of countries. We are a force for justice, progress, and cooperation. Some people often view China in a negative light, or even attempt to contain its role and influence. This kind of narrow-mindedness and malicious intent is a manifestation of the Cold-War mentality and a huge threat to today’s world.

China is not against the role of any other country in international relations, provided that kind of role is positive, responsible, and constructive. However, the world doesn’t need so-called leadership that has dragged the world into turmoil and provoked confrontation among countries, that has obstructed other countries’ development and created troubles for the world economy, that has imposed unilateral sanctions everywhere and brought sufferings to the people of other countries, and that has done nothing in a pandemic and costed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

In its fact sheet, the US in particular boasts that it has alongside 18 other countries brought attention to the human rights situation in China’s Xinjiang. This is just another example where you can never wake up somebody who pretends to be asleep. The fact is, the Xinjiang region enjoys stability, development, and prosperity. The life of the Chinese people is getting better day by day. The US should not forget that at the UN Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, close to 100 countries spoke out in support of China's position on Xinjiang, and opposed politically motivated attacks and disinformation against China.

Cooperation among major countries bears on the future of the UN. In the past year, the international community failed to unite on many occasions in the face of major challenges, most notably because of the interference by unilateralism and bloc politics. The US claimed to be back to the UN. However, instead of focusing on promoting international cooperation, it is obsessed with ideological confrontation and suppressing the role of China and other countries. This has seriously undermined the solidarity and mutual trust among member states and severely restricted the UN from playing its due role.

People around the world are clear-eyed, and dark clouds will not hide the sunshine. No matter what others might say, China will confidently and firmly follow the right path forward. We will remain a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender for the international order. We will continue to contribute our wisdom and strength to build a better world.”