China urges reform of global governance system as the UN marks 80th anniversary

China's envoy to the UN called on the international community to uphold multilateralism and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system as the United Nations marks the 80th anniversary Charter's entry into force on Friday.

Speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council on the UN Organization, China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, said that, as world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, "global governance is under severe strain," and that the UN has "come to a crossroads where much is at stake".

Fu stressed that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter remain the cornerstone of international relations. He urged countries to draw lessons from history, strengthen solidarity, and ensure that the UN continues to play its central role in maintaining peace and promoting development.

The Global Governance Initiative (GGI), put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" meeting in Tianjin, provided an answer "to the major questions of our times: what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance," Fu said.

The GGI, Fu said, "presents China's solution to how to address the widening global governance deficit and advance the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system".

Fu outlined five priorities under the initiative: adhere to sovereign equality; abide by international rule of law; practice multilateralism; advocate for a people-centered approach; and focus on taking real actions.

He said that all countries, regardless of size or strength, should enjoy equal rights and opportunities in global governance. The international community should ensure the equal and uniform application of international law and rules, formulate rules for emerging fields based on broad consensus, and promote good governance through a sound legal framework.

"We should promote greater solidarity to break down small cliques," Fu said. "Global affairs should be managed through extensive consultation. The governance system should be jointly built and its benefits shared by all."

"We should reform and improve the global governance system to continuously provide people with confidence and stable expectations, as well as a growing sense of security, fulfillment and happiness," he said.

He added that the world should concentrate on the pressing issues of today, and "adopt a holistic and systematic approach, coordinate global actions, put forward pragmatic and effective solutions, and strive for more visible outcomes".

The GGI, Fu said, "is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter" and aims to foster closer cooperation in tackling common challenges.

"Looking ahead to the next 80 years, instead of just talking the talk, we must walk the walk and support the UN as it embarks on a new journey," Fu said.

Fu said the international community needs to build a UN that safeguards peace and security, tackles challenges and difficulties, upholds fairness and justice, and is efficient, pragmatic and authoritative.

"China stands ready to work with all countries to uphold the lofty ideals of the UN," Fu said. "Let us stand firm to safeguard the international system with the UN at its core, maintain international order based on international law, and defend the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter."