China’s Li reavows support for UN

Elected President of the 71st United Nations General Assembly session Peter Thomson,left, gestures during a meeting with China’s Premier Li Keqiang at the Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. Thomson will be assuming the presidency of the UN General Assembly in September 2016. (Rolex Dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP)

BEIJING—China will firmly support the United Nations in dealing with global threats and challenges and safeguarding the postwar international order, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday when meeting the president-elect of the UN General Assembly.

Li made the vow when meeting Peter Thomson, president-elect of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly. Thomson, permanent representative to the UN of the island nation of Fiji, was elected in June and will take office next month for a one-year term.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has long been firm in upholding the authority and role of the United Nations in global affairs, Li said.

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The world economy is seeing a sluggish recovery amid the challenges of terrorism, refugees and geopolitical risks, while the process of and confidence in globalization faces challenges from rising uncertain and unstable factors.

“China resolutely supports the UN to play a strong role in tackling global threats and challenges as the most widely participated in and authoritative intergovernment organization,” he said.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s resumption of its legitimate seat in the UN. For the past 45 years, China has committed to safeguarding international order centered on the UN and upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Li said.

The 71st Session of the UN General Assembly prioritizes the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and faces challengesposed by terrorism, refugees and infectious diseases, State Councilor Yang Jiechi said when meeting Thomson on Friday.

“We will continue to uphold the authority of the UN as always, support the UN’s work, strengthen and perfect global governance with other countries, promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and better realize win-win situations,” Li said.

China, as a globally influential country, has played a crucial role in promoting international peace and sustainable development, Thomson said.

Li also expressed China’s stance when meeting the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on July 8 in Beijing.

“Frequent high-level exchanges between the UN and China show the importance China has attached to the UN and its recognition of the UN’s achievements in global governance,” said Zhu Feng, president of the Institute of International Studies at Nanjing University.

As president-elect of the UN General Assembly, Thomson needs China’s support to achieve many of his tasks during his one-year term, said Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.

China has long contributed to the UN work, for example, by dispatching the largest number of soldiers to UN peacekeeping operations among the five Security Council permanent members, said Ruan.

“The UN’s role has been strengthened in global governance in the 21st century and needs support from China,” he said.