‘Safeguard the postwar order,’ China tells UN General Assembly

China’s Vice President Han Zheng told the UN General Assembly’s 81st session that the postwar international system, centered on the UN and international law, must be preserved amid rising geopolitical tensions and widening global inequalities. He emphasized that disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter or bypass Security Council authorization, stressing that major countries bear special responsibilities for upholding peace and security.

On the Middle East, Han called for respecting the sovereignty of regional states, including in the Gulf, and supported Gaza’s reconstruction under Palestinian governance alongside a return to the two-state solution. He reiterated China’s adherence to President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal as guidance for resolving the Ukraine crisis and demanded an immediate end to the blockade and sanctions against Cuba.

Addressing development, Han advocated for a global partnership prioritizing poverty reduction, food security, and energy transition, urging developed countries to fulfill financing and climate finance commitments. He warned against protectionism, defended the WTO-centered system, and called for a people-centered approach to artificial intelligence that narrows the digital divide and promotes inclusive benefits.

Han reaffirmed China’s support for UN reform that strengthens, rather than diminishes, the organization’s bodies and mandates while amplifying the voice of the Global South. He praised outgoing Secretary-General António Guterres and outlined criteria for his successor, highlighting China’s contributions to peacekeeping and global growth, including its role as the largest contributor among permanent Security Council members.