Statement by H.E. LIU Zhenmin

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations

at the Plenary of the 64th Session of the General Assembly

under agenda item 107: Report of the Secretary General on the Work of the Organization

6 October 2009

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation welcomes Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report on the work of the UN organization. I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Ban Ki-moon for his diligent work and outstanding performance over the past year.

(source: UN Photo)

Mr. President,

The deepening economic globalization and rapid development of science and technology have further strengthened the interdependence among different countries and regions. Countries of the world find their interests and destiny increasingly integrated; no one can remain immune to the acute challenges of the financial and economic crisis, climate change, food security, energy and resource security and public health security, and no one can cope with these challenges single handedly. In the face of the unprecedented opportunities and challenges, we must adhere to multilateralism, promote the democratization of international relations and strengthen global coordination and cooperation.

Mr. President,

On top of the absence of a fundamental improvement of the serious lack of resources for development, developing countries are now confronted with further domestic economic difficulties and worsening external development environment as a result of the international financial crisis, which has caused immense setbacks to their efforts to realize the MDGs. Although developing countries are not responsible for the outbreak of this crisis, they are the major victims. In coping with the international financial crisis, we should also pay attention to the unprecedented development crisis. Any endeavor to address the financial crisis must take into account the need of development, particularly the special concerns of the least developed countries and African countries.

The United Nations should increase input in development, play a bigger role in responding to the financial crisis and promoting development, and work hard to create an international environment favorable to the development of developing countries so as to ensure the timely realization of the MDGs. The success of the High-Level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development held during the 63rd session of the GA has demonstrated the important role of the General Assembly in responding to the financial crisis. China supports the full implementation of the follow-up action of the high-level conference.

Mr. President,

Climate change involves the common interests of all countries, particularly the development interests of developing countries and the welfare of their people. At the recent UN Summit on Climate Change, President Hu Jintao of China elaborated my country's position on climate change and announced a series of measures that China will take in this regard. As the most populous developing country in the world, China still faces numerous difficulties in its development endeavor. Nevertheless, it puts great emphasis on the issue of climate change. We will work together with other countries, take a responsible approach to the issue, abide by the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol as the main channel in tackling climate change, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the mandate of the Bali Roadmap, and make active efforts to push for the success of the Copenhagen Conference.

Mr. President,

While the overall international security situation is stable, some long lasting hotspot issues remain unsolved and regional conflicts still flare up from time to time. The financial and economic crisis has exacerbated the existing social problems in some countries and triggered new social conflicts, even political turbulences. The international struggle against terrorism still faces daunting challenges. Somali pirates are now posing a new threat to international shipping security. In places like the Middle East, Darfur of Sudan, Horn of Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, the United Nations is playing a significant role in peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. At the request of countries and regional organizations concerned, the United Nations has also been actively engaged in good offices and preventive diplomacy, thus contributing to the prevention of further escalation of instabilities. Facts have proven that in addressing regional hotspot issues and international disputes, it is imperative to adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and keep to the means of peaceful dialogue. While deploying UN peacekeeping missions, equal attention should be paid to promoting political negotiations.

China is firmly opposed to all forms of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Combating terrorism requires the elimination of the breeding grounds of terrorism. Double standards should not be allowed in the fight against terrorism, nor should terrorism be linked with any specific country, ethnic group or religion. The United Nations should, within the framework of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, continue to integrate resources of relevant organs of the UN system and implement the four pillars of the counter-terrorism strategy in a comprehensive and balanced manner.

The process of international arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation is now presented with an important opportunity. Countries should set their sight on the goal of universal security, uphold the new security concept characterized by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation, give full play to the role of multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations, continuously consolidate and reinforce the existing multilateral mechanisms for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the field of security and make joint efforts to create a harmonious and stable security environment at the international and regional levels. China has always stood for the comprehensive prohibition and total destruction of nuclear weapons and for the realization of a nuclear weapon free world. The international community should effectively push forward the process of nuclear disarmament, eliminate the risk of nuclear proliferation and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the international cooperation in this regard.

Mr. President,

China supports the necessary and reasonable reform of the United Nations as a means to enhance its authority and efficiency, increase its capacity to respond to various threats and challenges and fulfill more effectively the responsibilities entrusted to it by the UN Charter. While some positive progress has been achieved in the UN reform since 2005, there is still some way to go towards meeting the expectations of the Member States. The reform of the United Nations should be a multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral undertaking with particular emphasis on development, which is the major concern of the developing countries. It is necessary to increase input in this field, guarantee resources for development, and strengthen development institutions.

China supports the revitalization of the General Assembly, which we believe is the joint political responsibility of all Member States. The revitalization of the GA should first of all find expression in the active participation of Member States in the policy deliberations of the GA and the effective implementation of GA resolutions and decisions. China supports Security Council reform, which is an important part of the UN reform. China is of the view that priority should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries, especially African countries, in the Security Council. The inter-governmental negotiations on Security Council reform have provided a new platform for Member States to explore this issue and we hope that Member States will continue the broad-based and democratic consultations with a view to achieving the widest possible agreement on a package solution to all categories of questions on Security Council reform. China supports strengthened UN capacity for peacebuilding endeavors. China hopes that the PBC will integrate the resources of relevant UN organs, strengthen coordination and cooperation with them and continue to seek successful ways to assist countries in post-conflict situations in their efforts to engage in peaceful reconstruction and embark on the path towards stability and development.

Mr. President,

The establishment of the Human Rights Council is one of the important achievements of the UN reform. The Human Rights Council has witnessed an improvement in its institutional operation and its capacity to respond to emergent human rights situations and a reduction of internal confrontations. Since the Human Rights Council is expected to be a forum in which human rights issues are dealt with in a fair, objective and non-selective manner, China hopes that in taking part in the work of the Human Rights Council, various parties proceed from the standpoint of promoting and protecting human rights, avoid politicizing human rights issues, pay equal attention to all kinds of human rights, and increase mutual understanding and narrow differences on the question of human rights through dialogue, cooperation and communication.

Mr. President,

The normal functioning of the United Nations needs a stable financial foundation. The principle of the capacity to pay is the basic principle in defining ways to assess contributions and should continue to be upheld. Stability should be maintained in the scale of assessment and its calculation methods. This contributes to a stable financial foundation for the United Nations. In the context of the further expansion and deepening of the international financial crisis, keeping the current method of calculating contribution assessments is in the interests of the majority of states.

Mr. President,

In his speech in the general debate of this session of the GA, President Hu Jintao of China called on the international community to join hands in the march forward, uphold the ideas of peace, development, cooperation, win-win progress and tolerance, and work towards a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity. China will continue to firmly support the United Nations in playing a central role in international affairs, resolutely stand for the maintenance and enhancement of the authority of the organization and work tirelessly for the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

Thank you, Mr. President.