Madame Chairperson,

China aligns itself with the statement delivered by Egypt on behalf of G77 and China. On the priority theme and emerging issues, China would like to make the following observations:

First, we need to uphold the concept of coordinated and open development. As the international community is confronted with a profound change in the global mode of development, countries should seize the opportunity offered by the new scientific, technological and industrial revolution, and vigorously advance the rebalance in economic globalization as well as reform, innovation and interconnectivity, with a view to promoting social development and driving forward the world's cause of poverty eradication.

Secondly, we need to build a mode of development that benefits all. Countries should incorporate the idea of inclusiveness and benefit sharing in their development strategies, continuously improve institutional mechanisms that strike a balance between efficiency and fairness, and increase input to such areas as transportation, education and health so as to better safeguard and sustain their people's gain and happiness.

Thirdly, we need to implement well targeted measures to reduce poverty. Countries should base themselves on their national conditions, fully understand the situation of their poor population, and take measures that suit local conditions and aim to solve specific problems so that poverty eradication efforts can be more effective and well targeted.

Fourthly, we need to steadily advance international cooperation in poverty eradication. The international community should work on a priority basis to address the development deficit and increase assistance to the African countries and the LDCs. The developed countries must genuinely honor their commitments by providing financial and technical support to the developing countries according to the latter's needs. There should be no political conditions attached.

Madame Chairperson,

China actively advocates, implements and promotes the global endeavor for poverty eradication. Since our reform and opening-up in 1978, we have lifted 700 million people out of poverty, which makes China the country with the largest population out of poverty. From 2013 to 2016, each year more than 10 million rural population in China got out of poverty. China has committed to lifting all poor people in rural area out of poverty by 2020. Since 1949, China has provided a total of 400 billion RMB yuan of assistance to 166 countries and international organizations, and dispatched more than 600,000 aid personnel who provided medical assistance to 69 countries and helped over 120 countries in their implementation of the MDGs.

While China has benefited from innovation and interconnectivity, it has also played a leading role and made its contributions. China has worked energetically to implement its development strategy that is innovation driven and made major achievements in science and technology. Last May, China hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation where, under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and benefit sharing, the participants achieved bountiful results in promoting policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds.

Madame Chairperson,

China pays great attention to the report submitted by the Secretary General and would like to make the following comments on issues of persons with disabilities, the elderly, youth and family:

First, there should be comprehensive guarantee of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities to help them better share in the fruits of development. China supports the Commission in holding a symposium on persons with disabilities to monitor the implementation of the 2030 Agenda targets related to persons with disabilities and such important documents as the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

Secondly, population aging should be actively dealt with to enable every elderly person to enjoy his/her life. Efforts are needed to mobilize the whole society to actively cultivate the custom of respecting, caring for and helping the elderly. It is necessary to improve policy regime, develop elderly-care service and elderly-related industry, and give play to the role of the elderly.

Thirdly, guidance should be given to youth for them to both contribute to and benefit from social development. China supports the UN in paying attention to poverty eradication for youth. Countries need to fully implement the World Programme of Action for Youth, increase guidance to and training for youth, address the difficulties they face in poverty eradication, employment and education, and enable them to contribute to social development and progress.

Fourthly, the role of family as the basic unit of the society should be given full play in social development. As an important basic unit in the development of the country, progress of the nation and harmony of the society, family plays a positive role in poverty eradication, employment promotion and social integration. China approves the attention the international community accords to the role of family in advancing economic and social development, which will help provide a favorable external environment for the harmony and development of every family.

Madame Chairperson,

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the issues of persons with disabilities, the elderly, youth and family. It has worked continuously to formulate or improve policies and programs to implement the relevant UN plans and programs of action, and has achieved remarkable results in protecting persons with disabilities, building an elderly-care system, helping poor youth get out of poverty and building harmonious family.

President Xi Jinping stated in his report to the 19th National Congress of the CCP that in our development, we will work to make up for the shortfalls in the area of people's livelihood, advance social equity and justice, strive for steady progress in our endeavor to provide our people with education opportunities, gainful employment, medical service, elderly-care, housing and help for the vulnerable, and ensure that all have greater gains in our development characterized by joint contribution and benefit sharing. China will engage deeply in international cooperation in social development and make unremitting efforts for the common prosperity of mankind.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.