Respect urged for all paths to modernization

A Chinese ambassador on Tuesday urged the international community to support developing countries' post-conflict peace-building efforts, specifically the need to respect different civilizations and diverse paths to modernization.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council open debate that the international community should support the efforts of developing countries to stand up to foreign interference.

Each country has its own unique history and culture and is entitled to follow a development path in line with its own national conditions, Zhang said. He noted that attempts by foreign powers to promote regime change have plunged countries such as Libya and Syria into strife and resulted in Afghanistan falling into a vicious cycle.

"History tells us that a world where peace and development prevail is one that comprises different forms of civilization as well as diverse paths to modernization. On the question of how a country should be governed, it is the people of that country who should have the final say," Zhang said.

Countries should respect each other's choices regarding development paths and political systems, the envoy said.

In addition, the international community should encourage parties to seek solutions to issues that reflect realities on the ground and support regional organizations in playing an important role in resolving those issues.

Zhang urged the international community to support the efforts of developing countries in maintaining national unity. To govern any country, it is essential to respect the diversity of society, and at the same time, stay committed to maintaining national unity. These two goals are not incompatible, he said.

For many developing countries, maintaining national unity is more urgent, he said, noting that many conflict situations currently on the Security Council's agenda are the result of "intensified intercommunal disputes and weakened national identities".

"China calls on all parties to internal conflicts to put the interests of their country and people first, set aside communal and partisan differences, build up political consensus, and establish and consolidate a broad and inclusive political architecture. We support the UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions in redoubling their efforts in this regard going forward," Zhang said.

He called on the international community to support the efforts of developing countries to achieve inclusive development.

Master key

Development is the master key to solving all problems, and decent living for all is the fundamental guarantee for the realization of lasting peace, he said.

He stressed that in a post-conflict peace-building process, countries concerned should uphold a people-centered approach, formulate inclusive development policies, mobilize people's initiative at all levels of society, and adopt a grow-the-pie mindset in national development.

"This is the economic basis for achieving national harmony and enhancing social cohesion," the envoy said.

At a time when the world economy is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, developing countries are in a more disadvantaged position in international economic relations, and the goal of inclusive development remains elusive, Zhang said.

The global threats and challenges require a commitment to solidarity and a collective response under the UN banner, the ambassador said.

"China stands ready to work with other countries to practice true multilateralism, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly build a better world," Zhang said.