Xi Jinping Provides Financial Support to the UN... Meeting with UN Secretary-General

Poetry Commentary Reiterates Multilateralism and the Role of the UN
Chinese Media Claim "The US Has No Right to Criticize China"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized on the 23rd (local time) during a video conference with UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres that "China does not seek hegemony."

Earlier, in his speech at the high-level video meeting commemorating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and the 75th UN General Assembly, President Xi stated, "China has no intention of engaging in a Cold War with any country, and China will never seek hegemony."

Chinese state media such as People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency extensively reported on the meeting between President Xi and Secretary-General Guterres on the 24th, highlighting China's commitment to contributing to world peace and development.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Xi said, "As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China firmly supports the central role of the UN in international affairs and will support the activities of the UN."

In this regard, Xinhua News Agency reported that China will provide funding for the UN's planned humanitarian response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

It also reported that China promised to support the establishment of the China-UN Food and Agriculture Organization Cooperation Trust Fund, the five-year extension of the UN Peace and Development Fund, and the establishment of the UN Global Geospatial and Innovation Center and the International Big Data Research Center.

President Xi stated, "Permanent members of the Security Council must set an example," adding, "Unilateralism does not gain the support of the masses or the world." This remark is widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of the United States, implying that the US has failed to fulfill its role.

President Xi also pledged, "If China develops a COVID-19 vaccine, it will be treated as a public good and support developing countries." This is seen as a criticism aimed at Western countries exhibiting vaccine nationalism.

President Xi reiterated the importance of multilateralism, saying, "The international community must abide by the international system centered on the United Nations."

Regarding this, Secretary-General Guterres expressed gratitude for "China's firm support for multilateralism and the United Nations," according to Xinhua News Agency.

He said, "The world is currently facing many crises such as COVID-19 and climate change," adding, "Multilateralism, international cooperation, and a stronger United Nations are necessary."

Secretary-General Guterres further stated, "I highly appreciate China's proposals on multilateralism, climate change response, and sustainable development," and added that he looks forward to China's leadership role in the future.

Meanwhile, People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency disparaged US President Donald Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly that day as a false speech distorting facts for political purposes.

Xinhua News Agency criticized President Trump's attribution of responsibility for COVID-19 to China, stating, "In a situation where the whole world must fight the epidemic together, the US administration blamed and withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO)," and said that what the US administration should do now is to cooperate with the international community to fight the epidemic.

Regarding climate change, it said, "Although the US is the country with the highest greenhouse gas emissions, it does not take even the minimum measures to protect the environment," questioning whether such a country is qualified to criticize China.