At the UN General Assembly leaders’ meeting in New York on Thursday, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng urged the international community to “follow the direction of a multipolar world” and “make global governance more just and equitable.”
On Taiwan
On the issue of Taiwan, Han emphasised that “there is only one China in the world,” which is represented by the government of mainland China.
“Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times,” he stressed, adding, “No one and no force should ever underestimate the firm resolve, strong will and power of the Chinese people to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Han also stated, “Realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration,” and Beijing will “continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort.”
On Hegemony
Han asserted that China aims to support the international system “with the UN at its core,” and oppose “hegemony, power politics, unilateralism, and a cold war mentality.”
Additionally, he underscored that China “will never practice hegemony,” and that “independence is the defining feature of China’s diplomacy.”
Vice President Han Zheng🇨🇳 arrived in NYC to attend #UNGA78. Meeting with @antonioguterres, he said #China supports the #UN in playing a central role in global affairs. 🇨🇳🇺🇳 have shared ideals, and China will, with initiatives like #BRI & GDI, contribute more to UN causes. pic.twitter.com/erOtPt0S9c
— 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong (@WangLutongMFA) September 19, 2023
On Nuclear Weapons
Han reiterated that nuclear war “must not be fought” and nuclear weapons “must not be used.” To this end, he called for the maintenance of security in both traditional and non-traditional domains, noting that China is the only permanent member of the Security Council that has pledged no first use of nuclear weapons.
“Ceasing hostilities and resuming peace talks are the only way to settle the crisis,” Han added, in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
On Developing Country Status
On a different note, Han stated that China will remain a developing country and a “natural member of the Global South.”
His comment seemed to reference the US Senate passing a bipartisan legislation in June, intending to strip China of its status as a “developing nation” at certain international organisations.
According to the bill’s proponents, the status of a ‘developing’ country can allow countries special privileges in some organisations or treaties.
On Human Rights
Referring to the West’s longstanding allegations of human rights abuses in various parts of China, Han reiterated Beijing’s “opposition to politicisation and double standards,” particularly using human rights and democracy “as a political tool to interfere in other countries.”
He reaffirmed that “diversity of civilisations is an invaluable asset for human development,” and that nations should “prosper together” by “respecting each other and pursuing common ground while setting aside differences.”