Xinhua News Agency, United Nations, September 26
Comply with the trend of development and bravely shoulder the historical mission——Speech at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly
(September 26, 2026, New York)
Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng
Mr. Chairman, colleagues:
At present, the international situation is intertwined with chaos, geopolitical conflicts continue to prolong, the development gap continues to widen, and global challenges emerge one after another. Five years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative at the 76th United Nations General Assembly, and later successively proposed the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, providing strategic guidance for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Today, when the future and destiny of all countries are closely linked, more and more countries are willing to join hands to shoulder the historical mission, cope with difficulties and challenges, and enhance the common welfare of mankind. To this end, I would like to make 4 suggestions.
First, maintain the post-war international order and build lasting peace through common security. The world wants peace, not war. The international system with the United Nations as its core and the international order based on international law formed after World War II must be maintained. We must practice a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, abandon the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, insist on resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and oppose unilateral military actions that violate the United Nations Charter and circumvent the authorization of the United Nations Security Council. Major countries have special responsibilities for international peace and security, and they must especially take the lead in observing rules, enforcing the rule of law, and pursuing the right path.
China believes that the sovereignty and security of the Middle East and Gulf countries should be respected, and the stability and smoothness of international industrial and supply chains and trade exchanges should be guaranteed. China calls for adhering to the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine" to advance the governance of the West Bank and the post-war reconstruction of Gaza, and to push the Palestinian issue back on the right track of the "two-state solution" as soon as possible. On the Ukrainian issue, China has always adhered to the "four shoulds" proposed by President Xi Jinping and will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way. China urges relevant countries to immediately stop threatening force against Cuba and immediately and comprehensively lift the blockade and sanctions against Cuba.
Second, face the global development dilemma head-on and promote common prosperity through open cooperation. We must always put development at the center of the international agenda and work together to build a global development partnership that is united, equal, balanced and beneficial to all. We need to focus on key areas such as poverty reduction, food security, and energy transition, and further increase resource investment and support for countries in the Global South. Developed countries should earnestly honor their commitments on development financing and climate finance. The international community should also build consensus and strength for formulating the post-2030 global development agenda. In the face of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, especially the vigorous development of artificial intelligence technology, we must uphold the concept of people-oriented and upward goodness, strive to narrow the digital divide, and jointly promote inclusive development.
Both history and reality have proven that the development of all countries cannot be separated from an open and cooperative international environment. There are no winners in protectionism. "Building walls and barriers" and "decoupling and breaking chains" disrupt the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains and harm the interests of all parties. We must firmly safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, insist on building an open world economy, jointly cultivate and strengthen new growth drivers, and promote inclusive economic globalization.
Third, promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and rebuild unity and mutual trust through communication and dialogue. The world is wonderful because of its diversity. When different civilizations get along, it is not advisable to be condescending, and it is not feasible to be self-centered. The right way is to respect each other, work together, and live together in harmony. It is necessary to strengthen international people-to-people and cultural exchanges based on the United Nations platform and take the celebration of the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" as an opportunity to promote mutual understanding and mutual understanding among people of all countries and promote the common progress of diverse civilizations. We must abandon ideological prejudice, respect the development paths and social systems independently chosen by the people of all countries, deepen exchanges of experience in state governance, and jointly explore and solve the problems of the times.
Fourth, hold high the banner of multilateralism and defend fairness and justice with practical actions. Multilateralism is the common choice of mankind after going through disasters, and fairness and justice are the common pursuit of people of all countries. China maintains that all countries, regardless of their size, are equal members of the international community; affairs in the world should be handled by everyone through consultation and jointly uphold international rule of law, fairness and justice. Countries should unite and take action to safeguard and strengthen the United Nations. China supports the reform and improvement of the United Nations and promotes the "United Nations 80th Anniversary Reform Initiative". It not only reduces budgets and authorizations, but also increases institutional effectiveness, effectively responds to global challenges such as climate change and public health security, improves governance rules in areas such as cyber, outer space, and polar regions, and truly expands the representation and voice of the global South.
China pays high tribute to Secretary-General Guterres, whose term of office is about to expire. China supports the election of a new Secretary-General who abides by the Charter, has outstanding abilities, is fair and upright, and performs his duties responsibly in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter.
Mr. Chairman, colleagues,
On October 25, 1971, it was in this solemn hall that the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations and to recognize the government representatives of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China in the United Nations. This is of great and far-reaching significance to China and the world.
Over the past 55 years, China has always been a stabilizing force in a turbulent world. It has unswervingly followed the path of peaceful development and is a major country with the best record of peace and security. China is the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and successfully pushed the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states to issue a joint statement on preventing nuclear war for the first time. China has always been the backbone of common development, creating two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and its contribution to world economic growth has remained at around 30% for a long time. China joins hands with more than three-quarters of the world's countries to build high-quality "One Belt, One Road"; it has mobilized more than 23 billion US dollars in funds under the framework of the Global Development Initiative and carried out more than 2,000 cooperation projects; it has implemented a zero-tariff policy for Africa and the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with it, empowering the modernization process of the global South. China has always been a progressive force in the era of change, insisting on speaking up for the global South, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and continuing to promote the development of the global governance system in a more fair and reasonable direction. In October this year, the Global Governance Forum will be held in Xiongan New Area. Everyone is welcome to attend the future meeting and discuss governance plans.
Mr. Chairman, colleagues,
No matter how the international situation changes, China remains unswerving in its pursuit of peace and development, its defense of fairness and justice, and its commitment to multilateralism. China is willing to join hands with other countries to create a better future for mankind in the great practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind! Thank you all.
