On October 15th, the famous Icelandic online media Visir.is published a signed article by Ambassador Jin Zhijian entitled Firmly Uphold Multilateralism and Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.
The full text is as follows:
Today, the coronavirus keeps raging on, protectionism is on the rise, unilateral and bullying practices are rampant, and multilateral mechanisms are under vigorous attack. At such a critical juncture on which hinges the future of humanity, in his address at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly a few days ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed, in unequivocal terms, China’s firm commitment to support the United Nations, safeguard multilateralism, and build a community with a shared future for mankind with all countries.
To uphold multilateralism, we should instill the sense that we all live in the same community with a share future for mankind. The virus exposes the fragilities of the world, and shows that all countries are closely connected and share a common future. we should embrace the vision of a community with a shared future in which everyone is bound together. We should see each other as members of the same big family and pursue win-win cooperation. A recent poll by the UN shows that 87 percent of those surveyed believe that COVID-19 has made international cooperation all the more imperative. China has been at the forefront of the struggle against all kinds of viruses as well as international cooperation against COVID-19. China has provided emergency medical supplies to over 150 countries and international organizations and donated US$50 million respectively to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan. We will provide support for more countries and regions in fighting the virus. We will faithfully deliver our promise of making Chinese vaccines a global public good, actively take part in multilateral cooperation on vaccine research, and contribute to the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in all developing countries.
To uphold multilateralism, we should safeguard the international system with the UN at its core. China was the first to sign on the Charter of the United Nations. It is a founding member of the UN and the only developing country that takes a permanent seat on the Security Council. China will continue to be a true follower of multilateralism. It will stay actively engaged in reforming and developing the global governance system. It will firmly uphold the UN-centered international system, firmly uphold the international order underpinned by international law, and firmly defend the UN’s central role in international affairs. It is a crucial participant of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is the second largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations as well as an important troop provider, sending more than 40,000 personnel over the past three decades and more. It has also actively and constructively engaged in the political settlement and mediation of international hotspots. At this year's General Assembly, China announced a set of new initiatives and measures including providing US$50 million to the China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund (Phase III) and setting up a UN Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Center and an International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals.
To uphold multilateralism, we should defend the multilateral trading regime with the World Trade Organization as the cornerstone. Economic globalization is an indisputable reality and a historical trend. We should pursue open and inclusive development and remain committed to building an open world economy. We should say no to unilateralism and protectionism, and work to ensure the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains. China has been fully aware of the importance of openness and cooperation in pushing forward reform and development. Guided by a win-win strategy of opening up, China has shortened its negative list for foreign investment, substantially expanded access for foreign investors, fully opened its manufacturing sector, and opened its services sector wider. China has been one of the best-performing economies in the improvement of business environment for the past two years. Going forward, China will continue to pursue a higher level of opening-up across the board, share more benefits with the world, and contribute to global recovery through its own development.
To uphold multilateralism, we should counter global risks and challenges through solidarity and coordination. The Paris Agreement on climate change charts the course for the world to transition to green and low-carbon development. All countries should all pursue innovative, coordinated, green and open development for the green recovery of the world economy in the post-COVID era. China will fulfill its commitment on energy conservation and emission reduction to help make our planet a cleaner and more beautiful place. China will scale up its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions and aim to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. This is a strategic decision China has made for its own ecological progress. It is also a major commitment underlining China's readiness to make new contributions to humankind's development. We will overcome whatever difficulties that may lie ahead and take robust measures to deliver on our promise. We will launch a “green revolution” in both lifestyle and development pattern, and truly protect our shared home in the course of development.
Multilateralism is the foundation and pillar for the current international order. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China has been committed to supporting and practicing multilateralism. We will take concrete actions to add stability and certainty to this volatile world, and give confidence and strength to the cause of multilateralism. China and Iceland enjoy broad prospects in international cooperation to uphold multilateralism and free trade, to jointly address climate change and work for sustainable development and gender equality. Let us join hands to uphold the values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom shared by all of us and build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. Together, we can make the world a better place for everyone.
Chinese Ambassador to Iceland Jin Zhijian