Chinese premier meets UN chief on multilateralism, climate change

China commends the United Nations for prioritizing the development issues facing developing countries and actively helping them ease debt burdens, tackle climate change, improve living standards and pursue sustainable development, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday.

Li made the remark when meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the largest developing country, Li said China is ready to maintain close communication and coordination with the UN and do its best to help developing countries on climate change under the South-South cooperation framework.

China will also play its constructive role on African countries' debt service suspension under the Group of 20's framework, he said.

The premier also stressed the importance of upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the UN's authority in international affairs given the current international situation.

China commends the UN's new accomplishments made under Guterres' leadership, Li said, adding that China is ready to further strengthen its cooperation with the UN agencies and actively support and participate in all works of the international governing body.

Guterres said the UN appreciates China's tremendous efforts in promoting multilateralism and recognizes China's contribution to advancing the UN's agenda on climate change and sustainable development.

The UN opposes economic decoupling and believes that countries should work through dialogues to bridge differences and jointly meet global challenges, he said.