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Saturday, November 10, 2018, 17:44
Chinese envoy: Multilateralism needed more than ever
By Xinhua
Saturday, November 10, 2018, 17:44 By Xinhua

China's Ambassador to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu (front right) speaks at a high-level Security Council meeting on the issue of international law at United Nations headquarters, New York, May 17, 2018. (LI MUZI / XINHUA)

UNITED NATIONS - Chinese envoy to the United Nations (UN) on Friday highlighted the importance of upholding multilateralism as the world is going through "a new round of profound development as well as tectonic changes and adjustments."

This shows that multilateralism is a prevailing trend and the common aspiration of all people, representing the right direction of history

Ma Zhaoxu,

Permanent Representative to the UN, China

"Due to the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, the international order and global governance system are under attack," Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the UN, said during an open debate of the Security Council. "The world needs multilateralism and a stronger UN more than ever."

The Chinese envoy said strengthening multilateralism and the role of the UN is a consensus of the international community, for which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces and member states aired support during the high-level week of the General Assembly in September.

"This shows that multilateralism is a prevailing trend and the common aspiration of all people, representing the right direction of history," Ma said.

Ma also underscored China's commitment to defending the international order and pursuing multilateralism, vowing that "we stand ready to join hands with all states to build a community of a shared future for mankind and a more peaceful world with a better life and greater happiness for all." 

ALSO READ: Li: China will adhere to opening-up, multilateralism  

Earlier on Friday, Guterres called for a reformed, reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system to deal with today's global challenges.

"But it is not enough to have laws and international conventions, vital as they are. We need new forms of cooperation with other international and regional organizations - a networked multilateralism, and we need closer links with civil society and other stakeholders - an inclusive multilateralism."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the opening of the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York, Sept 25, 2018. (LI MUZI / XINHUA)

"We need a stronger commitment to a rules-based order with the United Nations at its center, with the different institutions and treaties that bring the (UN) Charter to life," Guterres said.

READ MORE: IMF chief calls for more inclusive multilateralism

The world is facing many challenges: multiplying conflicts, advancing climate change, deepening inequality and rising tensions over trade, among others, he warned.

But at the same time trust is on the decline among nations. People are losing faith in political establishments, national and global. Key assumptions have been upended, key endeavors undermined, and key institutions undercut, Guterres said.

"It often seems that the more global the threat, the less able we are to cooperate," he said. "This is very dangerous in the face of today's challenges, for which global approaches are essential."

Multilateralism is nothing more than countries coming together, respecting one another, and establishing the forms of cooperation that guarantee peace and prosperity for all in a healthy planet, he explained.

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