Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng (right) shakes hands with President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 30, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng on Tuesday met with President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis in Beijing.

Han said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always practiced true multilateralism and firmly safeguarded the authority and status of the UN. China advocates an equal, orderly, multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and it encourages all countries to work together to meet challenges and achieve common prosperity, he added.

Noting that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, Han said China is willing to enhance cooperation with the UN and join hands with all sides to work for a more just and reasonable global governance system under the guidance of the concept of building of community of shared future for humanity.

Calling China an important cooperative partner of the UN and a staunch force in safeguarding world peace and development, Francis said that China is expected to play a more important role in promoting sustainable development, advancing international cooperation and addressing global challenges. 

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) shakes hands with President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 30, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Also on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Francis in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is a staunch advocate of multilateralism, a firm defender of the UN Charter, and a firm practitioner of international law. He said China will support the UN's central role in the global governance system and the UN General Assembly in playing a more active and important role in accordance with the UN Charter.

Francis said the UN always abides by the one-China principle

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Noting that the UN is scheduled to hold the Summit of the Future in September, Wang said China hopes the summit will devise practical solutions to current global issues.

UNGA Resolution 2758 has been observed by the UN and its specialized agencies since its adoption, Wang said. "China applauds the support of the UN and its specialized agencies for the one-China principle, and opposes all remarks and actions that are inconsistent with the resolution," he added.

Francis said the UN always abides by the one-China principle. He said the UN appreciates China's long-term support for multilateralism and the work of the UN, and thinks highly of China's important initiatives and propositions.

Francis said that during its rotating presidency of the Security Council in November, China enabled the adoption of the council's first resolution since the outbreak of the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. He said that China made an important contribution to the maintenance of peace, and that the UN stands ready to deepen cooperation with China to address current global challenges.