Xi Jinping: "UN Membership Is a Victory for the People"…Speech on the 50th Anniversary of UN Membership

Poem Annotation "China is the Only Country Representing the Chinese Nation"
Joined the UN on October 25, 1971, Taiwan Excluded from Membership

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] "Fifty years ago at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, China secured the only legitimate status. This is a victory for the people of the People's Republic of China (China) and a victory for the people of all countries around the world."

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 50th anniversary meeting of China's UN membership held in Beijing on the 25th, stating this and emphasizing that "China is the only country representing China."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

China joined the UN on October 25, 1971, through a vote at the 26th UN General Assembly as the sole legitimate representative of China, while also securing a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. On the other hand, Taiwan was excluded from UN membership that day. China refers to this as the "restoration of the UN's legitimate status."

President Xi evaluated, "The restoration of the UN's legitimate status holds significant and profound meaning for China and the world," emphasizing that China has defended the authority and status of the UN and practiced multilateralism for 50 years.

President Xi's emphasis on the restoration of the UN's legitimate status appears to be aimed at Taiwan, which claims independence, and the Western camp including the United States that supports Taiwan. It can also be interpreted as a determination to fundamentally oppose and block Taiwan's attempts to join the UN.

Using refined language, President Xi criticized the Western camp, including the United States, which is working to contain China. He said, "We firmly oppose all forms of hegemonism and political power, and oppose zero-sum games," adding, "China is striving to build a shared future for humanity based on lasting peace, common prosperity, and openness." He further proposed that the international community, facing regional conflicts and global issues such as terrorism and climate change, must form comprehensive global governance to overcome these challenges.

President Xi stated that a strong UN is necessary to build a community with a shared future for humanity, and that the international order based on international law and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be maintained. He added that these basic norms cannot be decided by individual countries or specific groups.

President Xi's speech at the 50th anniversary meeting of UN membership largely echoed the content previously asserted by the Chinese leadership. However, it appears to emphasize China's position once again on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its UN membership.

Meanwhile, the event was held at 10 a.m. (local time) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, and it is reported that major Western advanced countries sent charg? d'affaires instead of ambassadors to attend.