HAN ZHENG, Vice-President of China, called on the international community to “follow the direction of a multipolar world” and to “make global governance more just and equitable”.  He emphasized that there is only one China in the world represented by the government of the People’s Republic of China, as the sole legal government for the whole of China.  “Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times,” he stressed.  No one and no force should ever underestimate the firm resolve, strong will and power of the Chinese people to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration,” and his Government will “continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort”.  More broadly, “China is firm in supporting the international system with the UN at its core,” he reiterated, and opposes hegemony, power politics, unilateralism, and a cold war mentality.  He stressed that China “will never practice hegemony and expand,” and that “independence is the defining feature of China’s diplomacy”.

Calling for the maintenance of security in both traditional and non-traditional domains, he urged that nuclear war “must not be fought” and nuclear weapons “must not be used”.  He noted China as the only permanent member of the Security Council that has pledged no first use of nuclear weapons, and he recognized the “great importance” of conventional arms control and China’s forthcoming ratification of the United Nations Firearms Protocol.  Regarding Ukraine, he stated that ceasing hostilities and resuming peace talks are the only way to settle the crisis, with China ready to continue playing a constructive role to attain peace.  In the Middle East, he underscored that China will continue supporting the just Palestinian cause of restoring lawful national rights, which is at the core of the Middle East issue.  The fundamental way out lies in a two-State solution.  In Latin America, “China firmly supports the Cuban people in their just struggle” to defend their sovereignty and oppose external interference and blockade.

He reiterated that development should be at the centre of the international agenda, with “win-win outcomes” that should reach every country and individual in a fairer way.  Marking the tenth anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, he cited over 3,000 cooperation projects and 16,000 freight services on the China-Europe Railway Express last year as examples of the initiative’s vitality.  Furthermore, China will remain a developing country and “natural member of the Global South,” firm in upholding their legitimate rights and interests.  Regarding human rights, he reiterated China’s opposition to politicization and double standards, particularly the use of human rights and democracy as a political tool to interfere in other countries.  He reaffirmed that diversity of civilizations is an invaluable asset for human development, and that different countries should prosper together by respecting each other and pursuing common ground while setting aside differences.

Regarding climate change, he reiterated the need to fully implement the Paris Agreement, to stop building any new coal-fired power projects abroad, and to vigorously support developing countries to build more green energy projects.  He called on developed countries to do more to reduce emissions and provide developing countries with financing, technology, and capacity-building support. China will continue to prioritize ecological conservation and the advancement of green and low-carbon development.  Through Chinese modernization and rejuvenation, the country seeks to achieve harmony between humanity and nature while promoting ethical material advancement.