On the evening of October 18, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Xi Jinping emphasized that at a time when the world is faced with many global threats and challenges, the international community must unite and cooperate and pay more attention to development issues. Xi noted that the purpose of his proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind is to find the right path for countries to jointly address various global challenges, and the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative that he put forth are aimed at gathering and accumulating more positive energy, promoting the common development of all countries, and supporting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to secure that no country is left behind.
Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past ten years since the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward, a lot of tangible results have been achieved, demonstrating the BRI’s thriving vitality. Actions speak louder than words. The BRI has been widely recognized as a global public good and a platform of international cooperation. The United Nations is an important partner in jointly building the Belt and Road. China is ready to work closely with UN agencies to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road and contribute to global peace and development. China supports the work of the UN and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and is ready to enhance cooperation with UN agencies to promote multilateralism, build a multi-polar world, and make global governance more just and equitable.
Guterres said that developing countries are in a vulnerable and disadvantaged position when it comes to infrastructure development, investment and financing. The international financial system can no longer reflect the political and economic realities of the world today and is in urgent need of reform. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has provided a crucial and effective way to help developing countries achieve sustainable development and set a good example of South-South cooperation. The eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation are fully in line with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, and can help developing countries to accelerate development. The UN highly appreciates China's firm commitment to upholding multilateralism, supports the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is firmly committed to deepening cooperation with China.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting.
