Xi Jinping Meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

On the morning of October 25, 2021, President Xi Jinping met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing via video link.

Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning attended the meeting.

Xi Jinping pointed out that today marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of New China's lawful seat in the United Nations. The commemorative conference held by China is for reviewing the extraordinary course jointly covered by China and the UN and forging a better world together from a new historical starting point.

Xi Jinping stressed that history has proven time and time again no matter how powerful a country is, it cannot dictate other countries by hegemony and, still less, dominate the world. In the face of regional hotspot issues, we must abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect the people's will of the related countries, and resort to political settlement. There is only one system, one order and one set of rules in the world, and all countries should act within this framework, rather than do whatever suits them or reinvent the wheel. Major countries should respect each other, coexist peacefully and work for mutual benefit and win-win results, which serves the common interests of the international community.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the development and people's livelihood in all countries, especially developing countries. We should attach equal importance to joint pandemic response and economic recovery. We should step up anti-pandemic assistance to developing countries and realize fair and reasonable distribution of vaccines globally to help make them real global public goods. China is ready to enhance coordination with the UN to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, address the development predicament in developing countries, help implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and work for a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive global development. All countries should actively implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, abide by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, faithfully implement their respective responsibilities of emission reduction, and help developing countries accelerate economic transformation. China will honor its words with deeds as it has announced nationally determined measures to respond to climate change. The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference, jointly held by China and the UN, have rallied new consensus on sustainable development. China will support biodiversity protection in developing countries.

Xi Jinping stressed that an important experience from the 50 years of cooperation between China and the UN is that we should hold fast to the UN ideals, stay committed to multilateralism, and earnestly contribute to world peace and development. China is ready to work with all countries, united under the UN flag, to forge a community with a shared future for mankind.

Antonio Guterres said that 50 years ago today, the People's Republic of China restored its lawful seat in the United Nations. I extend my warm congratulations to such a day of justice. China's development has brought opportunities to the whole world. I thank China for upholding multilateralism, supporting the UN's work, and playing a major part and making significant contributions to promoting world peace and development. The international community needs to enhance solidarity and cooperation, uphold multilateralism, improve global governance and bring more fairness and justice. Unilateralism is by no means unacceptable. The United Nations highly appreciates the vital role played by China in eradicating poverty, tackling global climate change, protecting biodiversity, and making COVID-19 vaccines global public goods. The world should abide by the rules accepted by all countries and address disputes through dialogue and communication. The Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping is of significant and positive importance to promoting global equality and balancing sustainable development. The United Nations fully supports it and is willing to enhance cooperation with China in this regard.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and others attended the meeting.