Mr. Chairman,

At the outset, on behalf of the Chinese Government, I wish to congratulate the Group of 77 for the opening of the 31st Annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. I also wish to take this opportunity to extend my tribute to Pakistan, in particular, Ambassador Akram and his able team, for their impressive work as Chairman of the Group of 77 and China and congratulate Antigua and Barbuda on its election of the chairmanship for 2008.

In today's world, the expansion of economic globalization and dramatic progress in science and technology has created rare opportunities for development. But at the same time, the world is also faced with new challenges such as imbalance in the global economy and trade, mounting pressure caused by shortages of energy and resources, and instability in the financial market. Financial difficulty, trade barriers and other obstacles to the development of developing countries are far from being removed. The gap between the North and South and between the rich and poor is widening. The environment is deteriorating. For many countries, whether the Millennium Development Goals will be achieved is still uncertain. For developing countries, there are both opportunities and challenges.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 is an important and dynamic force in the international arena. Over the years, it has made significant contribution to promoting democracy in international relations, facilitating the North-South dialogue and advancing the interests of developing countries. In the face of the complex and ever changing international environment, the Group of 77 and China shoulders heavy responsibilities. Now, I propose that we focus on the following aspects:

1. Strengthen coordination on major international issues to defend our common interests. The Group of 77 and China is the largest consultation group in the world. Our countries may differ in their national conditions, but it is the same historical experience, pursuit of justice and fairness and aspiration for common development that have brought us closely together. We are united because we share mutual understanding. It is all the more important for us to be united because we have common interests to defend. Mutual support is a fine tradition and virtue of the Group of 77 and China. To speak with one voice sustains our influence. We need to redouble our efforts to maintain coordination on major issues concerning development and the environment, and remain united to defend our common interests. Our differences on specific issues should be properly handled on the basis of rendering mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences and focusing on common interests.

2. Promote the North-South dialogue and cooperation and implement the internationally agreed development goals. Developing countries have played a major role in forging international consensus and commitments on development cooperation. We should also play a leading role in pushing for the implementation of the development goals. We need to urge the international community, developed countries in particular, to fulfill their commitments by increasing official development assistance, reducing and canceling debts, opening up market, and promoting technology transfer. We should promote the global partnership for development through constructive dialogue. A monitoring and evaluation system for international development cooperation also needs to be established to implement international consensus and the Millennium Development Goals.

3. Make focused efforts to resolve major issues involving our overall interests. We need to seize the opportunity of the High-level Meeting on Financing for Development to urge the international community, developed countries in particular, to take effective action to help developing countries overcome financial difficulty and other obstacles to development. Continued efforts should be made to ensure that the Doha round negotiations will be concluded at an early date and produce comprehensive and balanced results, so that it will really be a "Development Round" and deliver real benefits to developing countries. We should take an active part in the consultations involving reform of the development field of the United Nations, and secure resources and strengthen institutions for development. Climate change is an issue bearing on the future of our globe and affects developing countries the most. We should continue to follow the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and the principle of equity, and urge developed countries to reduce emissions in good faith and provide financial and technical assistance to help developing countries address climate change and achieve sustainable development. We developing countries should take an active part in the global efforts to address climate change as we promote sustainable development.

4. Promote the South-South cooperation and strive for common development. In recent years, great progress has been made in economic cooperation among developing countries, as evidence by brisk mutual investment and trade, and remarkable increase in economic and technical support to the least developed countries. The South-South cooperation embodies the spirit of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and mutual assistance, and can serve as a model for cooperation between different countries. We need to make further efforts to draw on our respective strengths, tap the potential for cooperation, and explore new approach and ways of cooperation to achieve common progress.

Mr. Chairman,

To consolidate and strengthen unity and cooperation with other developing countries has always been a cornerstone of China's diplomacy. China firmly supports and actively participates in the South-South cooperation, and is a strong partner of the Group of 77. China is now implementing the five major measures aimed at supporting the accelerated development of developing countries. Last November, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held successfully and yielded fruitful results. The relations between China and other developing countries are marked by equality and mutual trust politically, mutual benefit and win-win progress economically, mutual support in international affairs and mutual enrichment culturally. China will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Group of 77, and work together with other developing countries to make contribution to the building of a more harmonious and prosperous world.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

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