Nations urged to work for true multilateralism

Amid multiple global crises, Chinese and foreign officials called on Monday for stronger international cooperation and solidarity to uphold multilateralism and tackle pressing challenges.

Their remarks were delivered at an international symposium in Beijing that focused on reinforcing the United Nations' role and advancing multilateralism.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of both the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the UN.

In a written address, Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that humanity stands at a critical historical juncture.

He highlighted China's proposals — the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, alongside the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative — as solutions to global challenges, saying that they have gained increasing recognition and support worldwide.

Wang emphasized that China, as a UN founding member and permanent Security Council member, remains committed to practicing true multilateralism with all parties.

He pledged to uphold the UN's central role and promote a governance model based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, injecting positive energy into creating a fairer, more equitable global system.

In September, the Summit of the Future, held at the UN's headquarters in New York, adopted key documents, including the Pact for the Future, offering actionable recommendations for global governance reforms.

Guy Ryder, the UN's undersecretary-general for policy, described the pact as a powerful reaffirmation of nations' dedication to the UN, global solidarity and international law.

"It has set out a clear vision of the international system that can deliver on its promises, including the Sustainable Development Goals, which is more representative of today's world and prepares for the challenges of tomorrow," he told the symposium on Monday.

Regarding challenges such as climate change, conflicts and slow development, he said that it is "precisely these circumstances that make multilateralism more important than ever. It will require extraordinary efforts to keep our system working for the peoples of the world".

Martin Mpana, Cameroon's ambassador to China and dean of the foreign diplomatic corps in China, praised the UN's immense potential as the most representative and authoritative intergovernmental body, calling it a legal community and a platform for global cooperation.

Noting the UN's evolution since 1945 amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, Mpana stressed the urgency of reforms and enhancement of the body's transparency and accountability, enabling it to address 21st-century challenges.

Mpana also hailed "China's consistent commitment in deepening cooperation with the UN, in consolidating its authority, and in steering global governance reform in the right direction".

As a responsible nation, China has been "a permanent supporter of the course of the UN", he added.

China is the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and the second-largest contributor to the UN's regular budget.

Assistant Foreign Minister Miao Deyu affirmed China's dedication to high-quality development and expanding high-level openness, providing new opportunities for global modernization and stability in a turbulent world.

"Today's world needs unity, not division; cooperation, not confrontation," Miao said. He emphasized that Beijing advocates open, inclusive and collective development while opposing the politicization of development, forced decoupling and ideological divisions.

Miao said that "much of today's global chaos arises from a few countries eroding the rule of law and risking a return to 'jungle law'".

He underscored the importance of mutual respect, equality among nations and an international order rooted in international law.