Fabrizio Hochschild, UN assistant secretary general for strategic coordination delivers his address at the opening of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN at the National Convention Center in Hanoi on Septe 12, 2018. (PHOTO / AFP)

UNITED NATIONS - United Nations Under-Secretary-General (USG) Fabrizio Hochschild told Xinhua in a recent interview that China's commitment to upholding multilateralism and people's aspiration for solidarity are "encouraging."

"China's commitment to working through multilateral channels, to upholding multilateralism and the growing commitment and investment we've seen in multilateralism from China is very encouraging," Hochschild said when commenting on the speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN.

China's commitment to working through multilateral channels, to upholding multilateralism and the growing commitment and investment we've seen in multilateralism from China is very encouraging.

Fabrizio Hochschild, United Nations Under-Secretary-General

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"I think it was also important that he acknowledged the critical role the UN has played and has to play in all three pillars of our organization, in peace and security, and of course development, which he gave particular stress to ..." said Hochschild, also special adviser to the secretary-general on the commemoration of the UN's 75th birthday.

Like many other top UN officials, Hochschild said China's contributions to UN peacekeeping is important, noting that China has been "a key partner" in this regard.

Hochschild reiterated the fact that China is the second largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping and China "has more people in uniform and peacekeeping outreach" than the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council put together.

Turning to the "global consultation" program that the United Nations launched in January to help understand people's expectations of global cooperation and of the UN in particular, Hochschild said, "People want to see more inclusive international cooperation" with their voices being heard, noting that ordinary people were not happy with the status quo that only the voices of those in power could be heard.

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Hochschild said he was impressed with people's "very strong support for international cooperation."

People's "high level of unity" also impressed him, he said, as their needs are similar in the struggle against the worst public health crisis since the Second World War.

He underscored the particular need for major countries to "reach consensus on major issues," otherwise, it will have "very negative effect" on efforts to advance agenda like the climate action.

The USG called for dialogue and negotiation to "enhance our common grounds" and manage differences.

"Humanity is made up of diversity. Diversity is a gift of humanity," he said.