China firmly upholds true multilateralism, envoy says

China's top envoy to the United Nations emphasized on Thursday that China firmly upholds and practices true multilateralism, supports the central role of the UN and encourages countries to work together with solidarity and mutual trust.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, reviewed China's achievements in the past 74 years at a reception at China's Permanent Mission to the UN on Thursday to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Zhang said facing today's challenges, it is more important and urgent for countries to work together with solidarity and mutual trust.

"As a major country, China has always fulfilled its responsibilities and missions, and is making joint efforts with all countries in this regard," he said.

"We firmly uphold and practice true multilateralism, support the central role of the UN, actively and constructively participate in the preparations for the Summit of the Future, and stay committed to promoting common development, safeguarding common security, and building a common future," said Zhang.

"We advocate solidarity and cooperation, uphold the principle of extensive consultations, joint contributions, and shared benefits, and work hard with all parties for solidarity, mutual trust, and cooperation.

"We uphold international fairness and justice, oppose bloc politics, division, and confrontation, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and strive to make the global governance system more just and reasonable," he said.

More than 300 people, including senior officials of the UN Secretariat and permanent representatives of numerous countries to the UN, attended the reception.

Regarding issues on which there is broad consensus, Zhang said, "China has always been a doer that makes real efforts. From implementing the SDGs to addressing climate change, our efforts and achievements are there for all to see."

The Belt and Road Initiative is the world's largest platform for open cooperation contributed by China, said Zhang. He said more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations are using this platform to conduct fruitful cooperation through greater complementarity.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the BRI, he noted. Next month, China will hold in Beijing the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. On this new starting point, we will continue to expand and extend this road for further openness and cooperation, said Zhang.

The President of the 78th UN General Assembly Dennis Francis, and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed, along with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, and Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management Movses Abelian, attended Thursday's reception.

Representatives and senior diplomats from over 150 countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia, also attended the reception.