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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 18, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] |
President Xi Jinping announced Wednesday that China will provide 200 million yuan ($29.18 million) of humanitarian assistance to help refugees and the homeless in the Syrian crisis.
Xi made the remarks at a keynote speech at the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters.
The world is facing lots of uncertainties, Xi said, adding that the people are expecting a brighter future but at the same time being frustrated by the current situation. China’s resolution to safeguard world peace will not be changed, he said.
“When our neighbors are in difficulties, we should offer a hand rather than just tighten our fences,” he said.
All countries should be treated equally, no matter big or small, he said, adding that none of the countries should stage wars willfully. Cultural differences should not become the root for conflicts, but the engine for mankind’s progress, he added.
Nuclear weapons should be banned completely and destroyed to establish a nuclear-free world, Xi said.
During his speech, Xi called on big powers to manage disputes and respect each others’ core interests. The deep sea and aerospace should be new fields for cooperation rather than an arena for competition, he said.
Trade protectionism could harm both sides, and it should be opposed, Xi said while calling on open and inclusive trade under the rules of the World Trade Organization.
According to Xi, China has provided foreign countries with over 400 billion yuan (about 58.4 billion US dollars) of aid between 1950 and 2016, while since the outbreak of the international financial crisis, China has contributed to over 30 percent of global growth each year on average.
He went on by saying that in the coming five years, China will import eight trillion dollars of goods, attract 600 billion dollars of foreign investment, make 750 billion dollars of outbound investment, adding that Chinese tourists will make 700 million outbound visits.
“China remains unchanged in its commitment to foster partnerships,” he said in the speech.
He also said that China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and is ready to enhance friendship and cooperation with all other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
China has formed partnerships of various forms with over 90 countries and regional organizations, and will build a circle of friends across the world, he said.
The Chinese president said China will strive to build a new model of major country relations with the United States, a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia, partnership for peace, growth, reform and among different civilizations with Europe, and a partnership of unity and cooperation with BRICS countries.
China is also going to remain unchanged in its commitment to multilateralism, said the president.
He hailed multilateralism as an effective way to preserve peace and promote development, saying that for decades, the UN and other international bodies have made a universally recognized contribution to maintaining global peace and sustaining development.
China will firmly uphold the international system with the UN as its core, the basic norms governing international relations embodied in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the authority and stature of the UN, and its core role in international affairs, he added.
