Chinese premier meets UNGA president-elect

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday met with Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the president-elect of the 74th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, pledging to continue firmly safeguarding the international system with the UN as the core.

The UN has played an irreplaceable role in maintaining world peace and stability, advancing global development and promoting international cooperation since it was founded over 70 years ago, Li said.

Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the president-elect of the 74th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, in Beijing, on July 4, 2019. [Photo: gov.cn]

"China supports the UN General Assembly in preparing relevant commemorative activities, as this is of special significance to safeguard the principles of multilateralism, equality of sovereignty, and solving problems through peaceful means that are represented by the UN," Li said.

As a founding member of the UN, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the biggest developing country in the world, China will continue to firmly safeguard the international system with the UN as the core, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and work with other countries to deepen international cooperation, safeguard international fairness and justice, and jointly cope with challenges so as to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Li said.

He also congratulated Muhammad-Bande for being elected as the president of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

Muhammad-Bande expressed gratitude to China's strong support to the UN and pledged to firmly support multilateralism, safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support UN member states to solve problems through consultation.

He also vowed to maintain an objective and unbiased attitude in carrying out his work and strengthen communication and coordination with China.

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with Muhammad-Bande on Thursday.