Premier Li emphasizes economic governance reform in meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres

China's Premier Li Qiang underlined the need to strengthen reform of the global economic governance system on Thursday, and highlighted China's support for the United Nations to play a central role in international affairs.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Jakarta on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings for East Asia cooperation.

Li said that the current international situation is complex and turbulent, and therefore, international society needs solidarity and cooperation to address the challenges.

It is important to uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, adhere to an open and inclusive development philosophy, and jointly resist politicizing economic issues or using security as an excuse to block economic cooperation, he said.

It is necessary to strengthen the reform of the global economic governance system, effectively increase the representation and voice of developing countries in international financial institutions, and actively and prudently address the debt problems of developing countries based on the principle of "joint action and fair burden-sharing", he added.

The premier underlined the need to steadfastly promote international cooperation on climate change in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Guterres said that in the face of various challenges, countries should unite, enhance mutual trust, prevent the fragmentation of the world economy, and jointly tackle global challenges.

He praised China's role in advancing the international agenda, saying the UN is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China, promote the reform of the international economic governance system, help developing countries obtain sufficient resources to address challenges such as food security, public health, and climate change, and contribute to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.