Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Chinese Foreign Minister

Despite the world being in the phase of "turbulence and transformation," we have reasons for hope amid broadening cooperation and deepening economic globalization, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly over the weekend. Noting that the world needs to embrace diverse civilizations, Wang emphasized that democracy and human rights should not be used as tools or weapons to achieve political ends.

The UN conference was held from Tuesday to Saturday in New York. Wang attended the high-level meeting and delivered a speech to elaborate China's position on global issues.

"We are at a time fraught with challenges. COVID-19 keeps resurfacing, global security faces uncertainty, the process of economic recovery is fragile and unsteady, and various other risks and crises are emerging," Wang said. Nevertheless, there were reasons for hope, as the world is moving further toward multipolarity, deepening economic globalization and societies increasing digitalization and cultural diversity.

Wang introduced China's five roles as China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, a provider of public goods and a mediator of hotspot issues.

He also mentioned China's six proposals on the current international situation, including putting development at the center of the international agenda and lift people in more countries and regions out of poverty, advocating openness and inclusiveness, replacing conflict with dialogue and zero-sum mentality with win-win cooperation, and advocating unity rather than division and practicing true multilateralism.

China's commitment to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and abiding by the principles of the UN Charter has contributed China's wisdom to bridging the gap in peace across the world and offered China's solutions to international security challenges, Wang said.

Peace is the prerequisite for a better future and the foundation for the common security of all countries, Wang pointed out. Turbulence and war are like opening Pandora's box and countries should handle their existing differences peacefully and resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Noting that protectionism can only "boomerang" with decoupling and supply chain disruptions that will hurt everyone, Wang called on the international community to uphold the World Trade Organization-centered multilateral system.

In the face of emerging global challenges, the most powerful force is to work together, the most effective way is to pull together in times of adversity, and the brightest prospect is win-win cooperation, he added.

"Institutional differences should not be a cause for division, still less should democracy and human rights be politicized, be turned into instruments or weaponized," Wang stressed.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world's largest developing country, China is committed to solidarity and cooperation with other countries. "It will follow the trends of the times and pursue the shared interest of the vast majority of countries," he stated.

"China has become the main trading partner of more than 130 countries and regions. As the biggest engine of world economic growth, China contributes about 30 percent to global growth every year," Wang said. China is also a pacesetter in implementing the 2030 Agenda, having met the poverty reduction goal 10 years ahead of schedule.

On the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, Wang said that China has provided more than 2.2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations.

Referring to the Belt and Road Initiative, he also highlighted that it has already signed cooperation documents with 149 countries and 32 international organizations during the speech.

As a developing country, China will always stand by the developing countries, Wang vowed. "We are pleased to see the rapid progress made by developing countries in recent years. We will continue to speak out for them and help them solve their problems. We will give full support to increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs."

In the face of global climate change, China is firmly committed to the path of ecological priority, green and low-carbon development. China is making unremitting efforts to build a community for life between man and nature.

Turning to the Ukraine conflict, Wang expressed support for all efforts conducive to its peaceful resolution. Wang therefore called all parties to keep the crisis from spilling over and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Addressing the island of Taiwan, which has been an inseparable part of China's territory since ancient times, Wang stressed that the one-China principle has become a basic norm of the international relations and a consensus of the international community. China would continue to work for the peaceful reunification, he said, adding that, to realize this goal it must combat secessionist activities with the firmest resolve and take the most forceful steps to oppose external interference.

"Any move to obstruct China's reunification is bound to be crushed by the wheels of history," Wang said.

Previewing the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be held in Beijing in October, Wang said that standing at a new historical starting point, China will achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, and work with other countries to strive for peace and development, shoulder the responsibility of solidarity and progress, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and open up a better world.