Madam President,

The Bandung Conference held in 1955 gave birth to the Bandung spirit of unity, friendship and cooperation that helped advance the national liberation movements across Asia, Africa and Latin America. It proposed ten principles for handling relations between countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The designation by the UN General Assembly at its 73rd Session of the closing date of the Bandung Conference as the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace and the holding of this high-level meeting are of great significance.

The world today is faced with major changes unseen in the past 100 years, and humankind faces many common challenges. At the same time, the rise of protectionism, unilateralism has placed global governance systems and multilateral mechanisms under attacks. The world needs multilateralism more than ever before. Countries should jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, uphold the spirit of consultation, follow the rules and procedures, and solve problems through collective efforts.

First, the vision of a joint consultations, joint contribution and shared benefits should be upheld when it comes to global governance. We should address global challenges and build a community of shared future through multilateral cooperation.

Second, there should be more dialogue and consultations. All parties should work together in seeking common ground while keeping differences with a view to increasing strategic mutual trusts and building global partnership.

Third, we should embrace the concept of common, integrated, cooperative and sustainable security and resolve dispute by peaceful means.

Fourth, the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries should be respected. The representation and voice of the developing and small and medium-sized countries should be enhanced in international affairs.

Madam President,

The United Nations represents the banner of multilateralism. China looks forward to the leadership of the UN in maintaining world peace, promoting common development and deepening international cooperation. China resolutely defends the authority and status of the UN and supports it in playing an active role in international affairs.

China has always defended the international order and the practiced multilateralism. In his statement at the closing ceremony of the China-France Global Governance Forum held in March this year, President Xi Jinping stated that in the face of serious global challenges, countries should assume responsibilities for the world. He called for fairness and reasonableness to address governance deficit, consultation and understanding to address the trust deficit, joint efforts and mutual assistance to address the peace deficit and mutual benefit and win-win results to address the development deficit. China's “Belt and Road initiative” is an important contribution to multilateralism and international cooperation. It enriches the practice of multilateralism in the new situation. The 2nd "Belt and Road" Forum for International Cooperation will be held from April 25th to 27th. We believe that at this forum, all parties will speak with one voice to support multilateralism and the building an open world economy.

Thank you, Madam President.