New York, 29 October 2008

Mme. Chairperson,

At the outset, I thank the Secretary-General for his report on globalization and interdependence. The Chinese delegation supports the statement made by the representative of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Now I wish to make statements on agenda items 51(a), (b), and (d).

Mme. Chairperson,

On agenda item 51(a): role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence.

In today's world, economic globalization is impacting every corner of the world in breadth and depth never seen before. The advances in modern transportation and communications technologies, the free flow across the globe of essential factors of production such as capital, technology, products, market, resources and work force, and the adjustment of the global industrial structure have promoted the optimal allocation of resources. This provides new opportunities for promoting economic growth and social progress across the world and for achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs. On the other hand, however, globalization is market oriented. While stimulating competition, it also aggravates the imbalance in development and generates a lot of risks, pressure and challenges. Due to different levels of economic development, countries are not at the same starting point when it comes to competition. Fierce market competition, complicated circumstances, and an unfavorable competition environment have added to the difficulties of developing countries and widened their gap with other countries.

As the Secretary-General rightly pointed out in his 2008 report on the MDGs, we are now more than halfway toward 2015 when the MDGs should be achieved. Globally speaking, there is indeed progress in some of the goals, but the development is very uneven. Many developing countries, those in Africa in particular, have lagged far behind other countries. The benefits of globalization have obviously not been shared by all. On the contrary, its adverse impact is impeding the development of many countries. The energy crisis, food crisis and financial crisis are spreading across the globe, and seriously eroding the achievements of development. This further testifies to the risks of the globalization process.

Generally speaking, economic globalization is the trend of the times. With the economies of countries more and more interconnected, their interests also intertwine, influence and constrain each other. To develop in isolation of in a globalized world is neither realistic nor possible. How to seize the opportunities that come with globalization and properly address its challenges? How to steer globalization to ensure that it develops in a healthy manner, benefits people of all countries and contributes to the achievement of the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals? These are major and urgent issues that warrant deep consideration by the international community. The Chinese delegation is of the view that:

First, the top priority now is to prevent the spread of the financial crisis. Without economic growth, the MDGs will be mere rhetoric. The Secretary-General's report (A/63/333) indicated that the global economic outlook has turned gloomy in recent months, which has affected both developed and developing countries. In addition, the food and energy crises are also squeezing on living standards of the people. The financial crisis originated from developed countries, but its impact is global. If not addressed promptly and effectively, it will not only erode the existing development achievements, but also make the adjustment more painful. In face of the complex circumstances, all parties concerned must strengthen cooperation, and take resolute, responsible, timely and effective measures to stabilize the market, rebuild confidence, curb protectionist tendencies and maintain a normal trade order. This will help restore market vitality and prevent recession. In the mean time, it is necessary to have an in-depth thinking on institutional issues and seize the opportunity to engage in profound reform to strengthen global economic governance, make the international financial regime more adaptable to the changed circumstances and make sure that the relevant rules are fair and effective so as to avoid the repeat of similar crisis in the future.

Second, despite the difficulties, international assistance must still be strengthened. Over the years, there has formed a lot of important international consensus on promotion of development. The international community is determined to provide financial, technical and other assistance to poverty-stricken developing countries to help them overcome obstacles and catch up with other countries. Due to the current financial crisis, developed countries have encountered difficulties to varying degrees. We must not fail to see, however, that it is developing countries and the poverty population that are hardest hit by the food crisis, energy crisis, climate change and financial crisis. To mitigating their difficulties, it is of vital importance for the international community to fulfill its commitments to assistance. While resolving their own problems, developed countries should bear in mind the bigger picture, honor and fulfill their commitments. In particular, they need to redouble their efforts to assist the least developed countries (LDCs) and regions, particularly in solving the problems of hunger, medical care and children's education. They should further reduce or cancel the debts owed by the LDCs, and provide tariff-free treatment to products from these countries to help them build their strength and capacity to implement their national development strategies and move toward achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.

Third, globalization needs to be guided and managed to achieve universal development. Globalization is not an end in itself. It should be a ladder leading to prosperity and affluence for all. To achieve the internationally agreed development goals, the international community has a role to play in regulating and guiding globalization. China is of the view that globalization has its intrinsic drawbacks. The problems exposed by the financial crisis such as inadequate regulation and lax oversight warrant our attention. The facts that many developing countries are being marginalized and the rules for competition are not balanced and fair also worth our attention. Countries not only need to address the crisis through cooperation based on equality, but also should follow the principle of cooperation on an equal footing when they make the rules of the games. To make sure that the globalization process is fair and equitable, features coexistence and prosperity, and benefits all countries and peoples, developing countries must engage fully in the international economic policy-making on an equal footing.

Mme. Chairperson,

As a developing country, China has worked vigorously to promote reform and opening up, and taken an active part in the globalization process. We have worked closely with all parties concerned, seize the opportunity to meet the challenges and face up to the current financial crisis. China has kept its own house in order. We will adopt flexible and prudent macroeconomic policies to maintain financial and capital market stability, and promote the steady and rapid growth of the economy. This is the most important and effective means that China employs to address the current crisis. It is also China’s biggest contribution to the world. We hope countries will work concertedly to overcome the difficulties and maintain the stability of the international financial market.

China is committed to a globalization process that brings benefits and prosperity to all, a globalization process that contributes to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with all parties concerned, promote South-South cooperation and make its contribution to the common development of all countries.

Mme. Chairperson,

On agenda item 51(b): International migration and development

With the rapid development of globalization, exchanges among people of different countries and regions are getting more and more frequent. Normal and orderly movement of population contributes to the free flow of human resources, technology and capital, and is conducive to the economic and social development of countries and cultural exchanges among them as well as world peace and prosperity.

In recent years, with the increase in the number of immigrants around the world, the issues of cross-border organized crimes, illegal immigration, and human trafficking are getting increasingly acute. Uneven economic development and disparities are the main reasons behind the above problems. In addition, some countries are erecting artificial obstacles to the normal movement of people across borders. This restricts the activity of legal immigrants and aggravates the spread of illegal immigration. China believes that, to resolve the immigration issue appropriately, it is necessary to "open up more legal channels while plugging the gaps". On the one hand, the orderly development of the activity of legal immigrants should be promoted. On the other hand, efforts should be made to promote the common development across the world to bridge the wealth gap and thus remove the root cause of illegal immigration. Developed countries and international organizations such as the United Nations should shoulder more responsibilities and provide more assistance to developing countries in terms of capital, trade, technology, and human resources to help them achieve sustainable development and improve their capacity for immigration management.

The Chinese government attaches importance to the issue of immigration. We have promoted the normal and orderly immigration activities and cracked down firmly on cross-border organized crimes such as illegal immigration and human trafficking. China will continue to strengthen its cooperation with other countries and international organizations in the area of immigration and contribute to world stability and development.

Mme. Chairperson,

On agenda item 51(d): Preventing and combating corrupt practices and transfer of assets of illicit origin and returning such assets, in particular to the countries of origin, consistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Globalization has brought about new challenges to the anti-corruption campaign. As national borders are getting increasingly porous for corrupt practices, seizing the illegal proceeds of corrupt criminals has become a global problem. Mutual support and coordination among countries concerned at the political and technical levels are needed to block the asset transfer across the borders and prevent the criminals from abusing the judicial procedures of their residing countries to avoid being extradited or repatriated. Countries need to explore ways to remove the obstacles caused by different laws of the requesting state and the requested state. They should also sum up their experience to reduce the occasions where assets cannot be recovered.

Corruption is often intertwined with terrorist activities, drug trafficking and other cross-border organized crimes. This makes the anti-corruption campaign even more complicated and difficult. One country's capability is often not adequate to fight corruption. To effectively curb corruption, countries must carry out practical and effective international cooperation in extradition, judicial assistance, and asset recovery. China hopes to strengthen its cooperation and exchanges with other signatories within the framework of the United Nations Convention against Corruption under the principle of equality, mutual benefit, respect for differences, and focus on actual results so as to create a sound legal environment for the economic and social development of all countries.

Thank you, Mme. Chairperson.