China reaffirms commitment to UN

China's envoy to the UN reaffirmed commitment to the United Nations, the UN Charter and multiculturalism while commemorating 75 years since the organization's foundational text was signed.

The Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on October 24, 1945.

The UN was conceived as a means of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The Charter calls for the UN to maintain international peace and security; promote social progress and better standards of life; strengthen international law; and promote human rights.

Seventy-five years ago, 50 member states gathered in San Francisco and signed the Charter, Which Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said "ushered in brand new chapter in human history".

"Since then, the Charter has been the universally accepted international instrument. It is a cornerstone of the rule of law and multilateralism. It established the basic norms governing international relations. It developed widely recognized principles of international law - the principles of sovereign equality, peaceful resolution of international disputes, respect for territorial integrity and political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs, as well as equal rights and self-determination of peoples, have taken deep root in our hearts and minds, and have contributed significantly to achieving the purposes of the United Nations, promoting world peace, development and human rights," Zhang said at a virtual ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Charter's signing on Friday.

Zhang addressed the celebration in the role of chair of the Group of Asia-Pacific States.

"We member States of Asia Pacific Group, are beneficiaries of the charter," he said, elaborating that with the functioning UN and the multilateral system based on the Charter, the Asia-Pacific region has enjoyed the benefit of peace and security, created a conducive environment for development, and as a result, the region has turned itself into a engine of global economy. And the group members are contributors of the Charter, Zhang said.

"We firmly adhere to the four purposes and seven principles, fulfill in good faith, the obligations we assumed, abide by international law anchored on the Charter," he said. "We are defenders of the Charter."

Zhang said the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrates the importance of multilateralism. "We should remain committed to intensifying international solidarity and cooperation, supporting the UN at the core of international system," he said.

"COVID-19 once again reminds us that we are closely interconnected and we are only as strong as the weakest," Zhang said.

"What the world needs now is solidarity and cooperation. Only with that, can we defeat the virus and build back better," he added.

``In the spirit of the world as one community, let us join hands and work tirelessly for the future we want, the Untied Nations we need," he appealed.