I. The world is undergoing major changes unprecedented in a century. As economic globalization, IT revolution and cultural diversification gain momentum in an increasingly multi-polar world, the interests and destinies of all countries are closely linked and deeply intertwined. At the same time, regional hotspot issues keep flaring up, the problem of unbalanced development is far from being resolved, and global challenges such as climate change, terrorism and cyber security issues have become more pronounced. All these factors, combined with surging unilateralism and protectionism in particular, have exerted a severe impact on the international order, architecture and rules.

Under such circumstances, the international community should build consensus and join hands in tackling new threats and challenges to safeguard world peace, promote common development and improve global governance.

Multilateralism must be steadfastly upheld. From a historical dimension, multilateralism is an irreversible trend of our times consistent with the mighty tide of multi-polarity and economic globalization. From the perspective of reality, global challenges call for global solutions and fundamentally, multilateralism is the only way forward. Countries should jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism and advocate extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits for win-win results.

International rules must be voluntarily observed. Countries should defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other basic norms governing international relations, respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independent choice of social system and development path. Efforts should be directed toward building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation and a community with a shared future for mankind. Countries, whether big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community and as such, should participate as equals in the formulation of international rules. Reform of global economic governance should be continued with a view to increasing the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries and preserve development space for developing countries.

The multilateral architecture must be jointly maintained. As the most universal, representative and authoritative inter-governmental organization, the United Nations is an important symbol of multilateralism and a living example of its success. Countries should support the UN in playing an active role in international affairs and in rallying and steering the world in the pursuit of enduring peace, development and prosperity. Efforts should be made to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading regime with the WTO at the center, and the core values and basic principles of the regime, and to further trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, so as to build an open world economy and make globalization more open, inclusive and beneficial to all.

II. China’s Priorities for the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

1. China supports the efforts made by Secretary-General António Guterres to advance UN reform in the areas of peace and security, development and internal management. China hopes that the reform will enable the UN to play a bigger role in peace and security affairs, enhance its capacity to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and improve its internal management and operation efficiency. The reform should be open and transparent, taking into full consideration views of member states and in particular, placing high emphasis on and striving to address the appeals and concerns of developing countries.

2. The international community should be committed to political settlement of hotspot issues, step up preventive diplomacy, support the UN mediation efforts, and oppose threat of force or unilateral sanctions. The Security Council, as the core of the international collective security mechanism, shoulders the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Its authority and role must be upheld. No one should bypass the Security Council in dealing with major issues concerning international peace and security.

The Palestinian issue is at the heart of the Middle East issue. China supports the Palestinian people’s efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state that enjoys full sovereignty, with East Jerusalem as its
capital and based on the 1967 borders. China also supports Palestine’s greater participation in international affairs as a state. The parties concerned need to properly solve their disputes through political and diplomatic means on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the principle of “land for peace”, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East.

On the Syrian issue, peace cannot be achieved through military means. China supports the role of the UN as the main channel of mediation and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254. Efforts should be made to find through inclusive political dialogue a political solution that suits Syria’s reality and accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties.

Upholding the integrity and sanctity of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is conducive to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, and serves the common interests of the international community. China hopes that relevant parties will adopt a long-term perspective and bear in mind the big picture, stay committed to political and diplomatic solution, and ensure the continued implementation of the JCPOA.

China is committed to a denuclearized, peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula and settlement of relevant issues through dialogue and consultation. In light of the current circumstances, China hopes to see and supports closer dialogue and contacts among relevant parties to further demonstrate goodwill and ease tensions. China hopes that the US and the DPRK continue to actively engage in interactions, meet each other half way and implement the consensus reached by the two leaders at their summit. China supports the improvement of the relations between the DPRK and the ROK and the joint efforts of all parties to make denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue a sustainable and irreversible process.

China supports African countries in solving African issues through African ways. China stands for respecting the sovereignty of countries concerned, heeding their views and giving full play to the roles of regional and sub-regional organizations such as the African Union (AU). The AU’s independent peace missions have become an important instrument in dealing with conflicts and crises in Africa. China supports the UN in providing them with predictable and stable funding assistance.

3. The UN peacekeeping operations are an effective instrument for easing regional conflicts and safeguarding collective security. The operations should give priority to political settlement, adhere to the three principles of “consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate”, and refrain from interfering in affairs within the scope of the host country’s sovereignty. Peacekeeping mandates should feature practical feasibility, clear targets, sharp focus, and flexible adjustment as circumstances evolve. Sufficient resources should be allocated to peacekeeping operations, the cost-effectiveness of the resources should be enhanced and the safety of peacekeeping institutions and personnel ensured. China stands for constant improvement of the UN peacekeeping operations to enable them to more effectively maintain stability and advance the political process in the host country.

4. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a grand blueprint for global development. Countries should integrate the Agenda into their national development strategies, make parallel and balanced progress in the areas of economy, society and environment. The international community should strengthen partnerships for development and forge a cooperation framework with North-South cooperation as the main channel and South-South cooperation as a supplement. Developed countries should honor their ODA commitments and help developing countries enhance development capacities.

The Belt and Road Initiative is highly compatible with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in terms of goals, concepts and implementation paths. The Belt and Road Initiative champions the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and promotes the Silk Road spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It focuses on infrastructure connectivity, upholds high quality and high standards, promotes regional connectivity and international cooperation, and encourages equal participation for shared benefits. China will continue to seek synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to build a road of peace, prosperity, openness and innovation that connects different civilizations and contributes to economic development of the world and common prosperity of all countries.

The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in September. Themed “China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation”, the Summit synergizes the building of the Belt and Road with the Agenda 2063 of the AU, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the development strategies of different African countries, and contributes to the further development of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership, the deepening of South-South cooperation and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

5. The international combat against terrorism has made progress, but terrorism remains a serious threat to global security governance. All parties need to unite and face it together. Combating terrorism requires a holistic strategy that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism. It is important to give full play to the leading role of the UN and its Security Council, and fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. There should be no double standards, and terrorism should not be linked with any particular country, ethnicity or religion. Given the new developments and characteristics of terrorism, the international counter-terrorism cooperation should focus on aspects such as fighting cyber terrorism, the financing of terrorism, the spread of extremist ideologies and the cross-border movements of terrorists.

6. The prosperity and stability of cyberspace concerns global peace, security and development and is an important new frontier for current global governance. China supports the UN in further advancing cyber security and digital cooperation, establishing a more broadly participated mechanism of dialogue process on cyber issues and formulating a universally accepted code of conduct for cyberspace so as to lay the foundation for the establishment of a regular mechanism for cyber issues under the UN framework.

7. China has consistently advocated the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. China is firmly committed to a nuclear strategy based on self-defense and adopts a highly stable nuclear policy. China has upheld its commitments that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons and that it would refrain from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has always maintained its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security. China supports the efforts of the international community to reduce the operational status of nuclear weapons, opposes any negative measure that may lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and is willing to work with all parties to reduce the risk of a nuclear war and maintain global strategic balance and stability.

8. China stands for maintaining the effectiveness, authority and universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), striking a balance between compliance and implementation of the Convention, and placing equal emphasis on the delayed destruction process of both the chemical weapons stockpile and abandoned chemical weapons. China supports the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in playing its due role in investigating and handling the alleged use of chemical weapons in strict accordance with the Convention.

Annex: Positions of the People's Republic of China on Major Issues on the Agenda of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

I. The Role of the UN

The international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. There is strong support for a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations. Economic globalization and the IT revolution are changing the world profoundly, resulting in greater interdependence among countries. At the same time, the international community faces multiple challenges. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined, the development gap between North and South remains wide, and the global governance system needs to be improved.

The UN is the most universal, representative and authoritative inter-governmental organization. The purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations constitute the cornerstone of the contemporary international relations. People around the world look to the UN to uphold world peace, promote common development and pursue win-win cooperation, thus establishing a new win-win type of international relations featuring wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and beyond that, a community with a shared future for mankind. Addressing global problems and challenges requires the joint efforts of the UN member states. Under the current circumstances, it is important for the UN to continue to play its central role in international affairs, follow the trend of the times, heed the voice of all nations, and rally and steer the world in the pursuit of enduring peace, development and prosperity.

II. UN Reform

China supports the UN in keeping abreast of the times through reform to further strengthen its capacity for coordinating international efforts to tackle global challenges, better respond to the expectations of the international community, and increase the voice of developing countries in international affairs. China supports the efforts of Secretary-General António Guterres to advance UN reform in the areas of peace and security, development and internal management and hopes that the reform will enable the UN to play a bigger role in the field of peace and security, enhance its capability to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and improve its internal management and operation efficiency. The reform process should be open and transparent, taking into full consideration the views of member states, and in particular, placing high emphasis on and striving to address the appeals and concerns of developing countries.

China supports the relevant measures by the UN to reform the peace and security architecture, strengthen preventive diplomacy and the Secretary-General’s role in mediation, continue to reform and improve the UN peacekeeping operations, and increase the coherence, synergy and coordination in the work of the UN peace and security departments. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries concerned must be respected and their views heeded. It is important to fully leverage the role of regional countries and organizations, take holistic and targeted measures in light of the circumstances and causes of a conflict and address both its symptoms and root causes. There needs to be coherence and coordination in the work of the UN in fields such as conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace building and development.

All parties should, in strict accordance with the mandate of Resolution 72/279 concerning reform in the field of development, fully respect the positions and concerns of developing countries and ensure the implementation of the principles such as focusing on development, ownership and leadership by member states and common but differentiated responsibilities. China supports resident coordinators in following the mandates of member states, focusing on their development function and strengthening support to the local governments in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda in the areas of policy advice, financial and technical assistance, and practical cooperation. It is necessary to take into full consideration the realities of different countries and respect the views of local governments on matters such as the appointment of country coordinators, their functions and mandates, the composition of country teams and the formulation of country programs. Country coordinators need to report to the local governments regularly and are responsible to the local governments.

The management reform measures and their implementation should be assessed regularly and improved constantly, and pilot programs and provisional measures may be introduced when necessary. China supports the improvement of the logistics of the UN on the basis of cost control and economies of scale. On choosing the global service center, the UN needs to conduct a comprehensive assessment and sufficient discussion on factors such as the supporting service facility and cost of procurement and logistics to ensure that the choice is reasonable, fair and balanced. China supports the reform in procurement process to improve its efficiency and transparency, enhance accountability, sufficiently and reasonably control procurement costs and expand procurement channels, and in particular, increase procurement from developing countries.

China supports reform of the Security Council to enable it to better fulfill its responsibilities prescribed in the Charter of the United Nations. The priority of the reform should be on increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in the Security Council so that small and medium-sized countries will have more opportunities to sit on the Security Council and participate in its decision-making process. Reform of the Security Council concerns the future of the UN and the vital interests of all member states. It is important to continue with thorough and democratic consultations, and seek a package solution that accommodates the concerns and interests of all parties. China is ready to work with all parties to ensure that the reform will help safeguard the long-term interests of the UN and the unity of its member states.

III. Fight Against Terrorism

Progress has been made in the international fight against terrorism, but the frequent occurrence of terrorist activities across the world is yet to be reversed, and the global counter-terrorism dynamics remain complex and fragile. Addressing terrorist threats is still a big challenge to global security governance.

China opposes terrorism in all its forms, and calls for a holistic counter-terrorism strategy that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism. The international community should strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. China opposes double standards on the issue of counter-terrorism, and believes that terrorism should not be linked with any particular country, ethnicity or religion. The UN and its Security Council should play a central, coordinating role in international counter-terrorism cooperation, build consensus and enhance coordination, so as to forge greater synergy for international counter-terrorism efforts. Given the new developments and characteristics of terrorism, the international counter-terrorism cooperation should focus on aspects such as fighting cyber terrorism, the financing of terrorism, the spread of extremist ideologies and the cross-border movements of terrorists.

IV. UN Peacekeeping Operations

UN peacekeeping operations are an effective instrument for easing regional conflicts and safeguarding collective security. UN peacekeeping operations should abide by the principles of “consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate”, and refrain from interfering in affairs within the scope of the host country’s sovereignty. China supports UN peacekeeping operations in advancing with the times through reasonable and necessary reform based on the broad consensus of the UN member states to enable peacekeepers to more effectively maintain stability and advance the political process in the host country. The peacekeeping mandates should give priority to political settlement and feature practical feasibility, clear targets, sharp focus, and flexible adjustment as circumstances evolve. Sufficient resources should be allocated to peacekeeping operations, the cost-effectiveness of the resources should be enhanced and the safety of peacekeeping institutions and personnel ensured.

V. Information and Cyber Security

Cyberspace is a common space for human activities. The future of cyberspace should be in the hands of all countries. Countries should step up communication, broaden consensus and deepen cooperation to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace. All parties should observe international law and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It is essential to respect the sovereignty of other countries, reject cyber war and arms race, oppose using the Internet to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, infringing on the privacy of other countries’ citizens or undermining other countries’ interests, and ensure that cyberspace is used to promote social and economic development, international peace and stability and the well-being of the people. The pressing task is to formulate an international code of

conduct for cyberspace that is acceptable to all, and develop international legal instruments for countering cyber crimes and cyber terrorism under the UN framework and in keeping with the principles of peace, sovereignty, shared governance and shared benefits, so as to foster a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and orderly cyberspace and establish a multilateral, democratic and transparent global governance system for cyberspace. Countries should have in-depth discussions on the application of international law in specific fields, taking into account the special characteristics of cyberspace and gradually reach consensus.

China attaches great importance to the important role of the UN in cyber security and has deeply and constructively engaged in the UN-led cyber-related processes. China will continue to support the UN as the main channel of safeguarding international cyber security, establishing order and developing international rules for cyberspace.

VI. The Refugee and Migration Issue

There are complex reasons for the refugee issue, whose root causes include regional instability and unbalanced development between North and South. China stands for a holistic approach that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of the refugee issue. The international community should increase humanitarian assistance to the refugees, ease their plight and resolve regional conflicts and other root causes leading to large numbers of refugees. It is also imperative to promote common development and create sound conditions for refugees to return home. China expects the Global Compact of Refugees to play a significant role in the international response to the refugee issue. China is ready to work with all parties to make continued contribution to the global endeavor of protecting refugees.

China stands for a development-based and objective approach to migration that gives full play to the role of migration in promoting development, strengthens international cooperation and contributes to the sharing of the development dividends brought by global migration. It is important to help migrants integrate into host communities, eliminate xenophobia and discrimination against migrants, combat human smuggling and trafficking and other migration-related crimes. China supports a holistic approach that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of forced migration. China supports countries in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in accordance with their own national conditions and due international obligations. China will continue to work with other countries to improve the global governance on migration.

VII. Regional Issues

1. The Situation on the Korean Peninsula

China is committed to a denuclearized, peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula and settlement of relevant issues through dialogue and consultation. Under the current circumstances, China hopes to see and supports closer dialogue and contacts among relevant parties to further demonstrate good will and ease tensions. China hopes that the US and the DPRK continue to actively engage in interactions, meet each other half way, and implement the consensus reached by the two leaders at their summit. China supports the improvement of the relations between the DPRK and the ROK, and the joint efforts of all parties to make denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue a sustainable and irreversible process. China is ready to work with relevant parties and the international community to make continued contributions to the denuclearization process and lasting peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

2. Afghanistan

China firmly supports peace, reconstruction and development in Afghanistan, encourages Afghanistan in playing a bigger role in regional economic integration and connectivity, and is willing to expand practical cooperation with Afghanistan under the Belt and Road Initiative. China always supports the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. We believe that broad and inclusive political reconciliation is the only solution to the Afghan issue and call on the Taliban to join the reconciliation process at an early date. China hopes that the international community will step up coordination and collaboration to form synergy and create a sound external environment for the early resumption of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

3. The Rakhine State of Myanmar

The issue of the Rakhine State of Myanmar involves complicated historical, ethnic and religious factors, and cannot be resolved overnight. China supports strengthened dialogue and consultation between Myanmar and Bangladesh, and the implementation of the three-phased proposal of “cessation of violence, repatriation and development” and the four-point principled common understandings reached among China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, in an effort to seek a proper solution of the issue. The international community should play a constructive role in facilitating the settlement of the issue by Myanmar and Bangladesh through dialogue and consultation.

4. The Palestinian Issue

The Palestinian issue is at the heart of the Middle East issue. China supports the Palestinian people’s efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state that enjoys full sovereignty, with East Jerusalem as its capital and based on the 1967 borders. We support Palestine’s greater participation in international affairs as a state. The parties concerned need to properly solve their disputes through political and diplomatic means on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the principle of “land for peace”, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East. China supports the UN and its Security Council in playing a bigger role on the Middle East issue.

China is in touch with Palestine, Israel and other parties. In July 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposal for the settlement of the Palestinian issue that calls for firmly advancing a political settlement based on the two-state solution; upholding a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept; further coordinating efforts of the international community and strengthening the concerted efforts for peace; and adopting a multi-pronged approach to promote peace through development. In July this year, at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, President Xi reiterated China’s principled position on the Palestinian issue and announced new measures of assistance to Palestine. China will continue to make relentless efforts for the resolution of the Palestinian issue.

5. Syria

The issue of Syria can only be settled through political and diplomatic means; there is no military solution. China supports the Geneva peace talk, the role of the UN as the main channel of mediation, the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254, and a political solution that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties reached through dialogue and negotiation.

Ceasefire and cessation of violence is an important basis for a political settlement. The relevant parties should take concrete actions, improve the situation on the ground and create favorable external conditions for dialogue and peace talk. The parties should support and cooperate with the UN and its humanitarian assistance agencies in their efforts to help improve the humanitarian situation in Syria. The international community should follow a consistent standard, strengthen coordination and crack down on all Security Council-designated terrorist organizations in Syria.

6. Iraq

Iraq is at a crucial stage of achieving peace, stability and reconstruction. China supports the vigorous efforts of the Iraqi government to reform government institutions, promote national reconciliation, improve the humanitarian situation and grow the economy, and welcomes the major progress made by the Iraqi people in combating terrorism. The international community should, on the basis of respecting the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, increase input and assistance, encourage all parties in Iraq to carry out inclusive dialogue, help the country recover its economy and expedite reconstruction, and support its continued fight against terrorism. China will continue to participate in Iraq’s economic reconstruction and provide assistance within the realm of our ability.

7. Yemen

Political settlement is the only way to lasting peace in Yemen. China urges all parties in Yemen to stop hostile actions and, on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism and the outcome documents of the National Dialogue Conference, restart negotiations as soon as possible and reach a solution that accommodates the core concerns of various parties. The international community should support and cooperate with the UN in its mediation efforts, so as to help Yemen achieve peace, security and stability at an early date. China is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen. We hope the parties to the conflict in Yemen will take actions to ensure the safe and smooth access of humanitarian assistance and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.

8. Libya

China adheres to four principles on the Libyan issue: first, respecting and upholding the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Libya; second, making continued efforts to encourage all factions in Libya to solve their differences through dialogue; third, intensifying the international efforts to combat terrorism and supporting regional countries in playing an active role in the fight against terrorism and organized crimes; fourth, accommodating the legitimate security and development concerns of regional countries.

China commends and supports the UN-led mediation efforts. When mediating the Libyan issue, the international community should attach importance to both promoting the domestic political process in Libya and making joint efforts to combat terrorism, so as to prevent the resurgence of extremist and terrorist forces. The “Libyan-owned and Libyan-led” principle should be followed when promoting the political process, so that peace and stability in Libya can be achieved at an early date.

9. The Iranian Nuclear Issue

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a multilateral agreement that has been endorsed by the UN Security Council, and it is the obligation of all parties to earnestly implement it. Upholding the integrity and sanctity of the JCPOA is conducive to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, and serves the common interests of the international community. Under the current circumstances, we hope that relevant countries will take a long-term perspective and bear in mind the big picture, adhere to political and diplomatic settlement, and ensure the continued implementation of the JCPOA. China will continue to hold an objective, just and responsible attitude and remain committed to upholding and implementing the JCPOA.

10. The Darfur Issue of Sudan

China commends the efforts made by the government of Sudan in ensuring peace and stability in Darfur and advancing the political process. We call on all parties to carry out national dialogue to promote the Darfur peace process and eventually achieve political settlement. In recent years, security in Darfur has improved noticeably, and the humanitarian situation has continued to ease. The international community should continue to provide assistance to Darfur through bilateral and multilateral channels, so as to consolidate what has been achieved and advance reconstruction in Darfur. China welcomes the adoption of Resolution 2429 by the Security Council, and supports the UN-AU Mission in Darfur in gradually cutting its size in light of the evolving situation.

11. South Sudan

Thanks to the mediation efforts of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and regional countries, significant progress has been made in the South Sudan peace process. Relevant parties in South Sudan signed the Khartoum Declaration and reached an agreement on security arrangements and outstanding issues of governance. China welcomes and commends such progress. We hope that the parties in South Sudan will earnestly implement the cessation of hostilities agreement and resolve outstanding issues through inclusive dialogue. China always supports the settlement of African issues by African people through African ways, the role of IGAD as the main channel of mediation and the work of the UN Mission in South Sudan. The Security Council needs to send a positive signal, support and cooperate with regional countries in their mediation efforts, fully respect South Sudan’s leading role in handling its domestic affairs, and make joint efforts to advance the political process in South Sudan.

12. Somalia

China commends the progress in the peace and reconstruction process in Somalia, and supports the efforts made by the Federal Government of Somalia to promote political reconciliation, recover the economy and improve people’s well-being. On the other hand, Somalia still faces severe challenges in achieving lasting peace and national reconstruction. The international community should, on the basis of respecting the leading role of the Somali government, continue to help the government implement the transition plan, strengthen governance and security capacity building, and support its efforts to crack down on extremist anti-government organizations. China supports the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) in continuing to perform their duties in accordance with their mandates, supports the UN and the international community in providing predictable, stable and sustainable financial support to AMISOM, and supports regional countries in providing humanitarian and other assistance to Somalia. China is ready to work with the international community to make new contribution to peace, stability and development of Somalia.

13. Mali

China is following the situation in Mali closely. China firmly supports the efforts of the Mali government and people to safeguard sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, congratulates on the smooth proceeding of the presidential elections and hopes that relevant parties will work together for greater progress in the peace and reconciliation process. China commends and supports the efforts of African countries and regional organizations to maintain peace and stability in Mali. China calls on the international community to give more attention and input to Mali to help its government strengthen security and counter-terrorism capacity building. China supports the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in fulfilling its mission and providing assistance to G5 Sahel Joint Force in accordance with relevant Security Council resolution, and calls on investing more in the security of MINUSMA peacekeepers. China stands ready to work with the international community to contribute to peace and reconciliation in Mali and stability and development in the region.

14. The DRC

Political settlement is the only way out for the DRC issue. China supports relevant parties in the DRC in resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation on the basis of the fundamental interests of the country and its people, and jointly promoting the election and political process. The international community and the UN should provide constructive assistance to the DRC while fully respecting its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. They should support the AU and Africa’s sub-regional organizations in coordinating closer cooperation among sub-regional countries and stepping up mediation efforts to encourage relevant parties to take concrete measures and return to the track of political settlement through dialogue and consultation. China will work with the international community and continue to contribute to the early realization of lasting peace, stability and development in the DRC.

15. Cyprus

China takes an objective and impartial position on the issue of Cyprus. China supports a fair and equitable solution on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and through dialogue and negotiation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. China believes that any solution must serve the interests of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. China commends and supports the efforts of the UN and the international community to facilitate the settlement of the issue. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is willing to play a positive role in resolving the Cyprus issue at an early date. We hope that the Greek and Turkish Cypriots and other relevant parties will continue to build consensus, narrow differences, and create favorable conditions for the resumption of fruitful talks.

VIII. Economic and Development Issues

1. Building an Open World Economy

Economic globalization, a strong driving force for world economic growth, is an irreversible trend of the times. The rise of anti-globalization, protectionism and unilateralism presents the most pressing challenge to the stability of the global economy. Building an open world economy bears on the future of global growth and the external environment for the common development and prosperity of all countries. The international community should follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, make concerted efforts to build an open world economy, oppose protectionism and make economic globalization more open, inclusive and beneficial to all.

China has actively participated in, supported and contributed to an open world economy. China’s development over the past four decades is attributable to opening-up. In the future, China will continue to rely on reform and opening-up for its development. In April this year, at the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, President Xi Jinping announced measures for opening-up, including significantly broadening market access and taking the initiative to expand imports. In November this year, China will hold the first China International Import Expo. These major measures will help break new ground in China’s opening-up and inject new impetus into the development of all countries and the global economy. Going forward, China will work with all countries to build an open world economy and embark on a broad path of openness, connectivity and mutual benefits.

2. Upholding the Multilateral Trading Regime

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is at the center of the multilateral trading regime, and the main channel for promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The international community should firmly support multilateralism, uphold the rules-based multilateral trading regime with the WTO at its center, and the core values and basic principles of the regime, continue to work for progress in the multilateral trade negotiations, support the WTO in playing a better role, upgrade trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and inject greater momentum into world economic growth.

China always firmly supports multilateralism, upholds the multilateral trading regime and opposes unilateralism and protectionism. Since its accession to the WTO, China has fully engaged in the work of the organization and the Doha Round negotiations on all items. China has fulfilled in good faith commitments it made upon the WTO accession, actively urged the WTO to attach more importance to the concerns of developing countries, and fully supported developing countries in integrating into the multilateral trading regime. China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold the authority and efficacy of the multilateral trading regime, and work toward a bigger role of the WTO in the globalization process.

3. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a grand blueprint for global development. A good job in implementing the 2030 Agenda will not only help developing countries eradicate poverty and improve people’s living standards, but also narrow the North-South gap, and unleash the potential of world economic growth. All countries need to integrate the 2030 Agenda into their national development strategies and make parallel and balanced development in the areas of economy, society and environment. The international community should strengthen development partnerships, and forge a cooperation framework with North-South cooperation as the main channel and South-South cooperation as a supplement. Developed countries should earnestly deliver on their ODA commitments, and help developing countries enhance development capacities.

China places great emphasis on implementing the 2030 Agenda. China took the lead in releasing its national plan on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and progress reports. It is promoting overall progress in the political, economic, cultural, social and ecological fields, with “early harvests” reaped in many areas. People in rural China living under the current poverty line are all expected to be lifted out of poverty by 2020. China used the opportunity of hosting the G20 Hangzhou Summit, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the BRICS Xiamen Summit to encourage all parties to put the issue of development front and center of the global macro-policy framework. China has provided strong support to other developing countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda through South-South cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.

4. Contributions of the Belt and Road Initiative to Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Belt and Road Initiative follows the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and advocates the Silk Road spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. The Initiative focuses on infrastructure connectivity, upholds high quality and high standards, and promotes regional connectivity and international cooperation. As an important multilateral practice in the new era with all countries participating on an equal footing and sharing the benefits, it has attracted extensive support from the international community.

The Belt and Road Initiative is highly compatible with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in terms of goals, concepts and implementation paths. In May 2017, China held a successful Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, where leaders from participating countries issued a joint communiqué, making the Initiative an international consensus. Going forward, China will continue to seek synergy between the Initiative and the 2030 Agenda, build the Belt and Road into a road of peace, prosperity, opening up and innovation and a road connecting different civilizations, and make contributions to economic development of the world and common prosperity of all countries.

5. Climate Change

Climate change, a challenge to all humanity, calls for international cooperation. The Chinese government sees addressing climate change as integral to pursuing its own sustainable development, and a responsibility in building a community with a shared future for mankind. China has actively engaged in international cooperation against climate change and contributed to the development of global ecological civilization. China will continue to pursue innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, take vigorous measures to address climate change, and continue to play a constructive role in the multilateral process on climate change. China will work for the negotiation on the conclusion of the Paris Agreement Work Programme before the year end as scheduled, advance the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and promote green, low-carbon and sustainable global development.

6. South-South Cooperation

South-South cooperation is an effective channel for developing countries to enhance strength through unity and has become an important force for global development. In implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the international community should support developing countries in deepening South-South cooperation and achieving common development.

In keeping with the principle of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests and the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, China has vigorously promoted South-South cooperation and provided substantial assistance to other developing countries to the best of its ability, significantly contributing to the economic and social development and people’s livelihood of these countries. Now, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, but China’s status as the largest developing country remains unchanged. China has always been a developing country and will continue to deepen cooperation with other developing countries under the principles of equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit unity and mutual assistance, and make contributions to the common development of developing countries.

7. Ensuring Development Space for Developing Countries

The world today is undergoing major development, transformation and adjustment, which presents both opportunities and challenges for developing countries. For some time, geopolitical conflicts and economic jostling have intensified, and protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, exerting negative impact on the external environment of developing countries and on global development.

The international community should stand firm in supporting multilateralism and the multilateral trading regime, continue to promote the reform of global economic governance and increase the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing countries. Whether in the fields of innovation, trade and investment, and protection of intellectual property rights or in the new domains of cyberspace, outer space or polar regions, the views of emerging markets and developing countries should be fully considered and their interests and appeals reflected when making new rules to ensure their space for development. When making adjustment and carrying out reform of relevant international organizations, the development interests and policy options of developing countries should be better protected, and the preferential treatment they have enjoyed should be maintained.

IX. Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

1. Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda

Currently, with global security undergoing profound and complex changes, the multilateral arms control and disarmament process is faced with challenges. Under such circumstances, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a new agenda for disarmament, in which he proposed many specific initiatives and measures. This will inject new impetus into the international disarmament process. China highly commends this effort and will continue to support the leading role of the UN in global security and disarmament. China appreciates the Secretary-General’s inclusion of the impact of scientific and technological development on global security and arms control in the disarmament agenda, which encourages the international community to engage in discussions and carry out preventative diplomacy to avoid the outdated path of “development first, disarmament later”. China is ready to work with the UN and relevant parties to strengthen communication and cooperation, promote multilateral arms control and disarmament, safeguard global strategic balance and stability and contribute to a world of lasting peace and universal security.

2. Nuclear Issues

China has consistently advocated the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. China is firmly committed to a nuclear strategy based on self-defense and adopts a highly stable nuclear policy. China has upheld its commitment that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons and that it would refrain from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has always maintained its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.

China advocates universal security as the ultimate goal, upholds the authority and effectiveness of the existing multilateral mechanisms including the Geneva Conference on Disarmament (CD), and follows the principle of balanced progress and consensus so as to ensure equal and broad participation of the international community. China supports the efforts of the international community to reduce the operational status of nuclear weapons, opposes research and development of low-yield nuclear weapons and other negative measures that may lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. China is willing to work with all parties to reduce the risk of a nuclear war and maintain global strategic balance and stability.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is part and parcel of the post-war international security system, and the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and nuclear disarmament system. It plays a significant role in maintaining world peace and security. The international community should promote the three pillars of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy in a comprehensive and balanced manner, maintain and strengthen the authority, universality and effectiveness of the treaty and oppose double standards and pragmatism. Countries that are not yet signatories to the treaty should join as non-nuclear-weapon states at an early date.

As one of the first countries to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), China has always supported the purposes and goals of the CTBT, and honored its commitment of suspending nuclear tests. The CTBT is an important step in the nuclear disarmament process. All countries should enhance their political and financial support for the treaty. In recent years, five CTBT monitoring stations in China have been ratified in a bunch, which demonstrates China's firm support for the CTBT.

China firmly supports the CD as the only appropriate venue for negotiating the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). China supports the CD in reaching agreement on a comprehensive and balanced program of work as a basis to start considering substantive issues, including the negotiation of a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable FMCT in accordance with the Shannon Report (CD/1299) and the mandate specified in it.

China always respects and supports the efforts of relevant countries to establish nuclear-weapon-free or WMD-free zones in light of the actual conditions of their regions and on the basis of consultations among themselves and voluntary agreements. China has signed and ratified all non-nuclear weapon protocols open for signature.

China attaches high importance to the issue of nuclear security and has incorporated nuclear security into its overall national security system. At the Nuclear Security Summit held in 2014 in the Netherlands, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a sensible, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear security for the first time and at the 2016 Washington Summit, he advocated the building of an international nuclear security system featuring fairness and win-win cooperation. China will make continued efforts to elevate its national nuclear security level and promote international cooperation, support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in playing a key coordination role, and work with other parties to enhance global nuclear security and effectively respond to the threats of nuclear terrorism. Safety should come first in the use of nuclear energy. China supports the international community in taking concrete measures to reinforce nuclear safety and actively advancing relevant international cooperation to promote safe, sound and sustainable development of nuclear energy.

3. Chemical and Biological Weapons

China supports continued efforts to strengthen the effectiveness, authority and universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). China finds it regrettable that relevant states that possess chemical weapons and those that abandoned such weapons on the territories of other State Parties failed to complete the destruction process before the scheduled deadline of the CWC. China urges such countries to comply with the relevant decisions of the Conference of the State Parties and the Executive Council and redouble efforts to complete the destruction according to the timetables set in the relevant decisions and destruction plans. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons should effectively supervise all destruction processes, including those of abandoned chemical weapons. China supports the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in playing its due role in investigating and handling the alleged use of chemical weapons in strict accordance with the Convention. China calls for bridging differences through dialogue and responding to the threats posed by the use of chemical weapons through cooperation. China is ready to work with other State Parties to the BWC to jointly push for positive outcomes at the Fourth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention and in an open and pragmatic spirit, jointly push for positive outcomes at this year’s Conference of State Parties to the BWC. China will continue to uphold the important role of the BWC in such areas as removing the threat and preventing the proliferation of biological weapons and promoting the peaceful use of bacteriological (biological) science and technology.

4. Non-Proliferation

China is firmly opposed to the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery. To achieve the goal of non-proliferation, all countries should work for a global and regional security environment of mutual trust and cooperation to reduce the incentive for WMD proliferation; resolve proliferation issues through political and diplomatic means; earnestly uphold and strengthen the international non-proliferation regime; and handle the relationship between non-proliferation and peaceful use in a balanced way and abandon double standards. China will step up exchanges and cooperation with all parties to move forward the international non-proliferation process.

5. Security in Outer Space

The Chinese government stands for the peaceful use of outer space and opposes weaponization and arms race in outer space. China and Russia submitted a draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects to the CD in 2008 and an updated draft in June 2014. China and Russia submitted a working paper in September 2015 in response to the questions raised by some countries. China calls on the CD to conclude a multilateral treaty on space arms control based on the draft proposed by China and Russia as early as possible, so as to effectively uphold peace and security in outer space.

At the initiative of China and Russia, the UN established a Group of Government Experts (GGE) on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space this year, to deliberate and make recommendations on the elements of an international legal instrument regarding the prevention of weaponization in outer space. To lay the ground for the work of the GGE, in July, China, Russia and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs co-hosted an international seminar in Beijing on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. On the first plenum of the GGE held in August, experts from China and other countries, in accordance with their mandate, had extensive and in-depth discussions on the elements of an international legal instrument regarding the prevention of weaponization in outer space. In the follow-up work of the GGE, China looks forward to continuing in-depth discussions with all parties and making joint contributions to the formulation of a GGE report by consensus next year.

China commends the success of UNISPACE+50 commemorations, supports the adoption of relevant outcome documents by the General Assembly, which calls for stronger international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space with a view to realizing a community with a shared future and advancing the well-being and interests of all mankind.

X. Human Rights

It is the common goal of mankind to enjoy human rights in the full sense of the term. As an important part of the economic and social development of a country, the human rights endeavor should be advanced in light of the country’s national conditions and the need of its people. There is no one-size-fits-all model for development and human rights. Based on its own reality, each country has the right to make its choice, which should be respected by the outside world.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action by the UN. The international community should attach equal importance to the realization of the civil and political rights and the economic, social and cultural rights and scale up input in the field of the right to development, an area of shared concern for developing countries.

When it comes to human rights, there is always room for improvement. Countries should engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, properly handle differences and reject the politicization of human rights or the practice of double standards. The Human Rights Council and other UN human rights bodies should faithfully observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, conduct their work in a fair, objective and non-selective manner, advance the two main categories of human rights (civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights) in a balanced way, and contribute to the sound development of the international human rights cause.

XI. UN Financing

All UN member states should earnestly fulfill their financial obligations stipulated in the UN Charter and pay assessments for both regular budget and peacekeeping operations in full and without conditions and in accordance with the “capacity to pay” principle set forth in the UN General Assembly resolution, so as to support the UN in effectively carrying out its functions. The UN needs to improve management of and efficiency in the use of its resources by integrating resources and programs, streamline administration, increase efficiency, enhance accountability and invest more fund and resources in key areas of concern to developing countries.

XII. The Rule of Law at the National and International Levels

It is the goal of all countries and the entire international community to achieve the rule of law at both the national and international levels. At the national level, countries are entitled to independently choose the mode of rule of law that suits their national conditions. Countries with different modes should learn from each other and seek common development in a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance. The Chinese government will comprehensively promote the rule of law in a bid to build China into a country under the rule of law that features sound legislation, strict enforcement, impartial justice and abidance by all.

To strengthen the rule of law at the international level, countries should fully adhere to the principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter and the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, uphold the authority of international law and work together toward a community with a shared future for mankind. Countries are entitled to participate on an equal footing in the formulation, interpretation and application of international law, and obliged to enforce international law in good faith. Countries should safeguard and strengthen the multilateral trading regime with the WTO at its core. All countries and international judicial institutions should uphold the authority of the international rule of law and justice, observe international legal rules and the order of the international rule of law, ensure equal and uniform application of international law, respect the right of all countries to independently choose the means of dispute settlement in accordance with law, and avoid the practice of double standards or the abuse of procedures and rights.

XIII. The International Criminal Court

China supports the international efforts to punish serious crimes and promote world peace and judicial justice. The International Criminal Court (ICC) should uphold the purpose of promoting international peace and security and safeguarding the well-being of all humanity, coordinate and cooperate with other international mechanisms and avoid disrupting relevant peace processes, including disruption of the Security Council’s mandate in exercising jurisdiction over the crime of invasion. China hopes that the ICC will strictly stick to the principle of complementarity, earnestly respect the judicial sovereignty of countries, and prudently carry out its mandate in accordance with law, so as to win the confidence and respect of the broad international community with the objective and impartial performance of its functions.

XIV. Oceans and the Law of the Sea

The oceans and seas are the shared home of all humanity. They provide precious space for sustainable development. China attaches great importance to and actively supports international endeavors related to oceans and the law of the sea. In keeping with the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, China is ready to work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind in international maritime areas and promote the realization of the UN sustainable development goals.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and general international law have provided legal references for the maritime activities of all countries. Countries should exercise their rights in accordance with law and fulfill international obligations in good faith. Countries and international dispute settlement institutions should comprehensively and faithfully interpret and apply the rules of the international law of the sea, and work together to uphold a fair and just international maritime order.

China supports all the mechanisms for maritime affairs and the law of the sea under the UN framework, stands ready to enhance exchanges and coordination with all countries, and actively participates in international legislation, including the negotiations on an international instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the formulation of international regulations governing the exploitation of seabed resources, so as to steadily advance international maritime governance.

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