On September 8, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the seminar to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations (UN) in Beijing via video link and delivered a speech titled "Building on the Extraordinary Fifty Years and Working Together for a Shared Future".

Wang Yi said, at its 26th Session in 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights to the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. This was a landmark of great significance in history. It signified that the UN had truly become the most universal, representative and authoritative inter-governmental organization. It also opened a new chapter in China's cooperation with the UN. Over the past 50 years, China, with concrete actions, has lived up to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and has served as an important builder of world peace, the biggest contributor to global development, and a firm defender of international order.

Wang Yi said, the world is at a new historical crossroads now. The international community needs to come together to meet the challenges and promote common development more than ever before. All countries should build consensus and synergy in the following areas:

First, upholding multilateralism to safeguard world peace and stability. The UN-centered international system and basic norms in international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are the pillars of multilateralism. We must oppose the use of multilateralism as a pretext by a few countries to impose their own rules on the whole international community. We should bridge differences through dialogue and resolve disputes through negotiation. China will stand, as always, on the side of peace and justice, follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and promote the building of a world of enduring peace and common security.

Second, strengthening pandemic cooperation to jointly build a line of defense for life and health. We must see to it that COVID-19 vaccines are first and foremost a global public good, and strive for the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world. On the matter of origins-tracing of the virus, any approach based on presumption of guilt or motivated by political maneuvering is doomed to fail. China will continue to, with a scientific attitude, work with all sides in active global origins-tracing.

Third, putting development first to promote common prosperity across the globe. We need to give full play to the UN's role as a coordinator, put development high on the global macro-policy agenda, and implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a comprehensive, balanced and robust way. We need to mobilize more development resources for developing countries, provide support in terms of financing, technology and capacity building, and foster global development partnerships that are more equal and balanced, so as to build a world of common development and prosperity, one that leaves no one or no country behind.

Fourth, embracing openness and inclusiveness to develop an open world economy. We need to safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO as its cornerstone, and ensure the stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. De-globalization that opts for closing doors and decoupling serves no one's interest and will only lead to a dead end. China welcomes all countries, international organizations, multinational corporations, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations to join in Belt and Road cooperation, to promote the integrated development of the world economy and share benefits across the world.

Fifth, improving climate governance to build a clean and beautiful world. Developed countries must move expeditiously to deliver their climate financing commitment to developing countries. All countries need to continue to implement the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions and international cooperation according to the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, equity and respective capabilities, and jointly promote a fair and equitable system of global climate governance for win-win cooperation. China will host the COP15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity this October, to work with all parties to promote the building of a community of life for man and nature.

Sixth, enhancing exchanges and mutual learning to promote the progress of human civilization. We must reject prejudice that is based on systems and models, uphold the common values of humanity of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, and respect different civilizations' perception and understanding of what these values mean. We must appreciate the explorations and practices of different countries to realize these values, take the endorsement and satisfaction of the people of the country concerned as the ultimate criterion, and adhere to mutual respect and equality to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and build an open and inclusive world.

At last, Wang Yi said, no matter how the international landscape evolves, China will resolutely safeguard UN's core role in international affairs, stay firmly on the right side of history, strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind, join hands with all progressive forces in the world, and work tirelessly to advance the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.

The seminar is co-hosted by the U.N. Association of China and the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, and is one of a series of activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, with representatives of UN agencies in China, diplomatic envoys to China, senior Chinese diplomats and experts and scholars from home and abroad attended.