Solidarity strengthens global progress, while fragmentation weakens it, emphasized Premier Li of China during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He cautioned that rising unilateralism and protectionist policies are eroding the multilateral framework established over many decades. n nHe described the current moment as a pivotal juncture for humanity, urging nations to draw wisdom from history, particularly the defeat of fascism and the founding of the UN, to recommit to peace, fairness, and justice. n nPremier Li stressed that no country should dominate others through power, warning that when strength overrides principle, global stability is endangered. He called for equal treatment of all nations, regardless of size or influence. n nChina, he affirmed, remains dedicated to global peace and security. He cited its role as the second-largest financial supporter of UN peacekeeping operations and the top contributor of personnel among the permanent Security Council members. Beijing has also promoted diplomatic resolutions in international disputes, including those concerning Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine situation. n nOn economic matters, Li criticized escalating tariffs and the construction of trade barriers, which he said are worsening already sluggish global growth. He highlighted China’s consistent economic expansion, noting it has contributed approximately 30 percent of worldwide growth in recent years. Despite rising protectionism elsewhere, China has reduced its own tariffs and maintained its position as the world’s second-largest importer for 16 consecutive years. n nHe rejected notions of civilizational superiority and warned against forming ideological blocs, which he said fuel division. Instead, he advocated for deeper cultural and societal exchanges. n nAddressing shared global challenges, Li called for enhanced cooperation on climate change and emerging technologies. He pointed out that China has built the largest renewable energy system globally and is advancing low-carbon development. He also reiterated support for establishing international governance on artificial intelligence, proposing a “world AI cooperation organization” to guide its ethical use. n nAs part of its commitment to multilateralism, China will donate lunar soil samples—collected by its robotic mission from the far side of the moon, the first such collection in history—to the United Nations. n nAdditionally, China will collaborate with the UN to launch a China-UN Global South–South Development Facility with an initial $10 million investment and establish a global center for sustainable development in Shanghai with the UN Development Program (UNDP). n n“We must prioritize people-centered development, ensure technology serves humanity, and distribute benefits fairly,” Li stated. n nIn closing, he reaffirmed China’s backing for reforms aimed at making the UN more effective and representative of today’s world order.
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China’s Premier Li calls for solidarity, peace and shared economic prosperity in UN address
“Solidarity lifts everyone up, while division drags all down,” Mr. Li told the General Assembly, warning that unilateralism and protectionism were undermining the international order built over decades. n nHumanity, he said, “has once again come to a crossroads.” n nPremier Li recalled the defeat of fascism and the founding of the UN eight decades ago, saying the lessons of history demanded renewed commitment to peace, fairness and justice. n n“When might dictates right, the world risks division and regression,” he said, urging that all countries, “big or small, be treated as equals.” n nChina, Mr. Li stressed, was committed to being a “staunch defender of world peace and security.” n nHe highlighted Beijing’s contributions to UN peacekeeping – the second-largest budgetary contributor and the largest troop contributor among Security Council permanent members – and its role in promoting political solutions to conflicts including Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine crisis. n nOn the global economy, the Chinese leader said sluggish growth was being worsened by “tariff hikes and erection of walls and barriers.” He pointed to his country’s steady expansion and role as a driver of global development, contributing about 30 percent of economic growth in recent years, and noted the country had lowered tariffs – while remaining the world’s second-largest importer for 16 consecutive years. n nReject ‘civilizational superiority’ n nChina would continue to pursue “high-quality belt and road cooperation” with over 150 countries, he said, while opening its economy wider to the world. n nMr. Li also urged deeper exchanges between societies and warned against “civilizational superiority or ideology-based circles,” which he said bred confrontation. n nTurning to global challenges, Mr. Li called for stronger collective action on climate change and emerging technologies. n nHe said China had built the world’s largest renewable energy system and was advancing low-carbon development. He also urged swift progress on international rules for artificial intelligence, reiterating Beijing’s call for a “world AI cooperation organization.” n nAs part of its UN engagement, Premier Li announced that China would present lunar soil samples scooped up by its latest robotic explorer from the far side of the moon – the first ever collected – to the United Nations. n nHe also said China would partner with the UN to establish a China-UN Global South–South Development Facility, with $10 million in initial funding, and a global centre for sustainable development in Shanghai in cooperation with the UN Development Program (UNDP). n n“We should adhere to the principles of people-centered development, technology for good, and equitable benefits,” Mr. Li said. n nConcluding his address, Mr. Li reaffirmed China’s support for reforms to make the UN “more efficient and representative.”