Beijing's warm words for Guterres on new term

China's top ambassador to the United Nations conveyed his congratulatory message to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday for starting his second term on Jan 1.

"China speaks highly of the secretary-general's work in his first term. As we embrace the new year full of expectations, Secretary-General Guterres also officially started his second term. Allow me to extend to him my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN.

In the past five years, Guterres has led the Secretariat in "actively dealing with global challenges such as the impact of unilateralism and the COVID-19 pandemic, and played an important role for world peace and security, sustainable development and international anti-COVID cooperation".

The envoy also said the combined forces of change and a pandemic both unseen in a century have brought many grave challenges to the world.

"As the most important platform for building international consensus, addressing global challenges and practicing true multilateralism, the UN's role has become even more irreplaceable than ever before," he said.

Higher expectations

"As all parties have higher expectations of the secretary-general, the burden on his shoulders has also grown heavier. We believe that in his second term, the secretary-general will continue to firmly carry out the responsibilities entrusted by the UN Charter, uphold an objective and impartial position, and safeguard and practice true multilateralism to make greater contributions to addressing global challenges and promoting human progress."

Zhang pointed out that China's support to the UN has been consistent, enduring and reliable.

"China always stands side by side with the UN in facing whatever difficulties or challenges," he said.

Zhang stressed that China solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN last October. In a speech, President Xi Jinping called on the international community to resolutely uphold the authority and status of the UN.

Fifty years and beyond, China-UN cooperation now stands at a new historical starting point, Zhang said.

"China will continue to champion true multilateralism, advocate common values for all humankind and firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," he added.

From the new starting point, China will continue to live up to its responsibilities and carry out its duties in protecting world peace, advancing common development and addressing global challenges.

Zhang also pointed out that leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states－China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States－issued a joint statement on Monday on preventing nuclear war and avoiding arms races.