SHANGHAI: President Xi Jinping on Friday reaffirmed China's support for the United Nations during talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is in the city to attend the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.
Xi praised Guterres' leadership over the past decade, saying he had defended multilateralism, tackled global challenges such as climate change, promoted governance in emerging fields including artificial intelligence, and advanced UN reform.
Marking the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the People's Republic of China's lawful seat at the United Nations, Xi said China had remained committed to promoting world peace, supporting global development, defending the international order and backing the UN.
He said his vision of building a "community with a shared future for humanity", together with China's four global initiatives, was aimed at strengthening the status and authority of the United Nations.
Xi said growing global instability and uncertainty made genuine multilateralism more important than ever and called for a stronger role for the UN.
He said every country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate rights must be respected.
"The world must never be allowed to return to the law of the jungle," Xi said.
He also called for protecting the international system and rules established after World War II while pursuing reforms to ensure the UN remained effective in a changing world.
Xi said major powers should shoulder greater responsibilities, adding that China had consistently sought to build stable relations among major countries and contribute greater certainty to international affairs.
Guterres thanked China for its continued support for multilateralism, the United Nations and international cooperation, saying the country had set an example for the world.
He said the UN would continue working closely with China, oppose unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonic behaviour, uphold the UN Charter and international law, and promote a more multipolar world. – Xinhua
