XI JINPING, President of China, recalling States’ declaration last year to fight the pandemic, observed:  “One year later, the world is facing the combined impacts of changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic.”  Beating COVID‑19 was the priority now, he said, stressing that States should put people first, care about the life, value and dignity of every individual and adopt a science-based approach.

Emphasizing the need to make vaccines a global public good, especially in developing countries, he announced China’s plan to provide a total of 2 billion doses of vaccines to the world by the end of this year.  In addition to this, 100 million doses of vaccines will be donated to developing countries this year and $100 million will be donated to COVAX, he said.

He went on to emphasize the need to revitalize the economy and pursue more robust, greener and balanced global development.  To that end, he proposed a global development initiative that would ensure development as a priority through a people-centred approach that included harmony between man and nature, innovation‑driven development and results-oriented actions.  As well, he highlighted China’s pledge of an additional $3 billion of international assistance in the next three years to support developing countries in responding to and recovering from the pandemic.

He further stressed the need to strengthen solidarity and promote mutual respect and win-win cooperation in conducing international relations.  “Democracy is not a special right reserved to an individual country, but a right for the people of all countries to enjoy,” he said, calling on States to reject zero-sum games and resolve differences through dialogue and cooperation.  “China has never and will never invade or bully others or seek hegemony,” he added.

States should improve global governance and practise true multilateralism, he continued.  Stressing that the United Nations is at the core of the only international system in the world, he urged the Organization to increase the representation and say of developing countries.