Enhancing Multilateralism and Promoting Global Development

Enhancing Multilateralism and Promoting Global Development

Remarks by H.E. Qin Gang

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

At the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Session I

New Delhi, March 2, 2023 

Minister Jaishankar,

Dear Colleagues,

Let me thank the government of India and Minister Jaishankar for the thoughtful arrangements. At the outset, I wish to express, on behalf of the Chinese government, deep mourning over the lost lives in the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.

Colleagues, 

The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. Faced with a volatile international situation and rising global challenges, the G20 must rise to the occasion, enhance cooperation, and contribute its share to global development and prosperity.

We need to practice true multilateralism, uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, and observe the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

We need to follow the principles of dialogue on an equal footing and consensus-building through consultation. Global affairs should be handled by all through discussion. No one should engage in power politics or even bloc confrontation.

We need to promote the sound development of globalization, reject unilateralism, protectionism and attempts to decouple or sever supply chains, and ensure the stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains.

We need to make global development more inclusive, resilient and beneficial for all. The Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has offered a new option for stepping up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Colleagues,

The outcomes of the Bali Summit must be delivered. We should build on our good work in Bali, and press ahead for greater progress.

First, macro economic policy coordination needs to be enhanced and food and energy security safeguarded. China has put forth relevant initiatives under the G20. China has suspended more debt service payment than any other G20 member, and participated in the debt treatment under the Common Framework. We hope that multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors will be actively involved in the debt treatment of developing countries. 

Second, global economic governance needs to be improved. It is important to complete the 16th General Quota Review of the International Monetary Fund as scheduled, and conduct the shareholding review of the World Bank. China supports the African Union in joining the G20, and looks forward to an early decision by the G20.

Third, international development cooperation needs to be bolstered. We need to support the SDG Summit of the United Nations, tackle climate challenge, and act on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The consensus of the Bali Summit on preventing illegal cross-border traffic of waste must be earnestly implemented.

Global development and prosperity cannot be achieved without a peaceful and stable international environment. With this in mind, China has put forward the Global Security Initiative, and issued the position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China will always stand on the side of peace, actively promote peace talks, and play a constructive role. 

Colleagues,

Last October, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China made the decision to pursue a Chinese path to modernization. The Chinese modernization is rooted in China’s realities and in keeping with the global trend. This modernization features peaceful development and harmony between man and nature, and will present new opportunities to the cooperation between China and other countries. China will continue to take an active part in the G20 agenda, and contribute more to promoting world peace and development and building a community with a shared future for mankind.