Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi Chairs UN Debate on Multilateralism, Global Governance, and the Maintenance of International Peace and Security

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi chaired an open debate of the Security Council on "Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming, and Improving Global Governance" under the agenda item "Maintenance of International Peace and Security.”

The year 2025 marks the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The ministerial-level meeting, held under China's presidency of the Council, provided an opportunity for Member States to review the history of the United Nations, reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, and jointly build a just and equitable global governance system.

Wang Yi noted that over the past 80 years, the world has witnessed accelerated multi-polarization and economic globalization. People around the world have forged ahead together to overcome challenges. It has been a time of the Global South’s rise and growing strength, as well as a period when societies have emerged from the shadow of the Cold War and moved beyond bipolar confrontation. However, true global peace and common prosperity have yet to be fully realized.

“The international community drew painful lessons from the scourge of two world wars, and the United Nations was founded,” Wang Yi said at the UN Security Council meeting, stressing the need to “reinvigorate true multilateralism, and speed up efforts to build a more just and equitable global governance system” in the face of global crises.

Wang Yi reiterated China’s support for all efforts conducive to peace talks in Ukraine. On the Middle East, he emphasized the importance of upholding the two-state solution. "Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people, not a bargaining chip in political trade-offs. The Palestinians governing Palestine is an important principle that must be followed in the post-conflict governance of Gaza," he said.

Wang Yi also emphasized that UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding and must be upheld by all countries.