March 12, 2024
Mr. President:
I welcome Mr. Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to attend today’s meeting.
Strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations is a clear requirement of the United Nations Charter, an important manifestation of multilateralism, and a common expectation of the international community. Currently, the world is intertwined with chaos and facing unprecedented challenges. As the core of the international system, the United Nations has more prominent missions and responsibilities. As an important force on the international stage, the EU’s role and contributions have become increasingly prominent. China supports cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter to make greater contributions to maintaining international peace and security, enhancing the well-being of all mankind, and responding to global challenges. We expect relevant cooperation to follow the following principles:
The first is to practice true multilateralism. As an advocate of multilateralism, the EU should actively play a leading role, take the lead in safeguarding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, abide by international law and recognized basic norms of international relations, defend the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core, and promote the unity and progress of all countries under the banner of multilateralism.
The second is to adhere to the concept of common security. Security is indivisible. The security of one country cannot be at the expense of the security of other countries. Regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military groups. The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and properly addressed. The EU should work with the United Nations to promote political solutions to relevant hot-spot issues and resolve conflicts and disputes through peaceful means.
The third is to build a common future for mankind. Faced with changes unseen in a century, countries around the world should transcend historical, cultural, geographical and institutional differences, work together to achieve win-win cooperation, and create a better future. The EU should work with other member states to promote this year’s United Nations Future Summit to build consensus, be action-oriented, and send a positive signal to the outside world that will open up new prospects for mankind.
Mr. President,
The Ukraine crisis is a huge challenge to European security. The final resolution of the crisis requires dialogue and negotiation. As an important stakeholder, the EU should be more committed to promoting political solutions, more committed to creating good conditions, and more committed to building a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.
The conflict in Gaza continues and the unprecedented humanitarian disaster continues to intensify. Protecting civilians, providing assistance, saving lives and restoring peace are the common responsibilities of the international community. We appreciate the EU’s active efforts in this regard and hope that the EU will exert its influence and role to make greater contributions to promoting an immediate ceasefire, expanding humanitarian assistance, implementing the “two-state solution” and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
The challenges Africa faces in achieving peaceful development have increased significantly. We expect the EU to shoulder greater responsibilities, adhere to the principle of “solving African problems in an African way”, and support African countries in strengthening capacity building, better coping with risks and challenges, and achieving sustainable development. Support the construction of the AU’s collective security mechanism and provide more predictable and sustainable financial support to the AU’s independent peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations.
Mr. President,
China has always attached great importance to developing relations with the EU and regards the EU as an important force in the multi-polarization process. We are happy to see the EU strengthen strategic independence, play a greater role in international affairs, and make greater contributions to maintaining world peace and security. . China is willing to deepen cooperation with the EU in multilateral fields such as the United Nations, work together to be a practitioner of multilateralism, an advocate of open development, and a promoter of dialogue among civilizations, and jointly make unremitting efforts to maintain world peace, promote common development, and strengthen global governance.
Thank you, Chairman.