Xiplomacy echoes call of the times at UN meetings

MULTILATERALISM AS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE

At a historic juncture 75 years ago, the United Nations, the epitome of multilateralism, was established following the scourge of two world wars to maintain lasting peace and promote common development.

"Today, we face our own 1945 moment," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening of the 75th UNGA, warning about a new standoff as the multilateral system, the foundation for globalization and integration, is exposed to salient risks and challenges, such as treaty withdrawals and military and economic bullying practices.

Noting that the past 75 years has been a period of rapid development of multilateralism, Xi stressed at the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations that "international affairs ought to be addressed through consultation among us all."

"Problems facing the world are big and many, and global challenges are on the increase," he said. "They should and can only be resolved through dialogue and cooperation."

This commitment to equality-based consultation has been an essential feature of Xi's diplomatic thought, now widely known as Xiplomacy. Since he took office as Chinese president in 2013, he has reiterated the principle on a variety of international occasions, steadfastly advocating multilateralism over unilateralism and win-win cooperation over zero-sum confrontation.

In his landmark UNGA address five years ago, Xi pointed out that all countries are interdependent and share a common future, and called for global efforts to "renew our commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter" and "build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation."

Over the years, China has demonstrated that it is not only an advocate but also a practitioner of multilateralism and defender of the UN-centered international system. China, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a recent forum, has joined almost all universal intergovernmental organizations and international conventions.

Calling China "a pillar of multilateralism," Guterres said in a recent interview with Xinhua that he expects China to "continue its proactive policies to strengthen the UN's global work on maintaining peace and security and encouraging sustainable development."