High-level UN Security Council meeting reaches consensus on revitalizing multilateralism, says Chinese FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that participants at a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting agreed that the UN’s role is indispensable. In the current situation, its role should be strengthened, not weakened, and its position must be maintained and cannot be replaced, he said.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks after chairing the UN Security Council’s high-level meeting “Practicing multilateralism, reforming and improving global governance.”

While the Chinese side put forward four proposals to rejuvenate multilateralism and build a just and rational global governance system, Wang said that all participants agreed that the trend of multilateralism is irreversible, and all countries should support the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core.

Participants agreed that the trend toward unity and progress is unstoppable. Countries are interdependent and have a shared future, Wang said, emphasizing that strong countries should not bully the weak, and a return to “the law of the jungle” approach must be avoided.

Participants also agreed that reforming and improving global governance cannot be delayed, Wang said, stressing the need to enhance the representation of the Global South and ensure that the will and interests of the majority of countries are reflected in the reform process.

UN Security Council should better respond to expectations of people around world: Chinese FM

In the face of major crises and conflicts, the UN Security Council should take the 80th anniversary of the UN as an opportunity to keep pace with the times and better respond to the expectations of people around the world, Wang also said.

When asked about his assessment of the role of the Security Council and China’s suggestions for its better fulfillment of duties, the foreign minister made the following four suggestions.

First, the common good should be given priority, Wang said, noting that countries should not focus solely on their own interests but prioritize the common interests of the international community.

Second, sincere cooperation is needed, Wang said.

Restoring unity among the five permanent members of the Security Council is imperative and should start with constructive dialogue, he said.

Third, commitments must be honored, the foreign minister said.

The Security Council resolutions carry legal force and must be implemented in full, Wang said, adding that all UN member states, especially Security Council members, should not engage in selective application, still less double standards.

Fourth, the Security Council should be reformed and improved, Wang said.

China supports continued broad and democratic consultations to seek consensus on UN reform, including that of the Security Council, to make it more representative and more swift in action, he added.

(With input from Xinhua)