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Statement by Qian Qichen
Vice-Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Chairman of the Delegation of the People’s Republic of China
at the 51st Session of the United Nations General Assembly
New York, New York
26 September 1996
As the world moves toward multipolarity, the forces for peace are bolstered. The call for dialogue and cooperation, as against confrontation and conflict, has become louder. In the Asia-Pacific region, the endeavors to maintain peace and stability and promote common development through dialogue, consultation and cooperation have yielded positive results. The Agreement on Confidence Building in the Military Field along Border Areas has been concluded between China on the one hand, and the Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the other, an agreement which governs a boundary as long as three thousand kilometers. The ASEAN Regional Forum has succeeded in bringing Asia-Pacific countries together to deliberate on security issues of the region. APEC has become a useful mechanism in promoting trade and investment liberalization as well as economic and technological cooperation in the region.
The past year has seen peace returning to a number of war-torn countries and regions. We are pleased to note that the peace accord reached between the belligerents in Bosnia-Herzegovina is being implemented and Yugoslavia and Croatia have normalized their relations. It is hoped that peace will soon be fully restored to the former Yugoslavia region so as to put an end to the prolonged conflict in that part of Europe.
The strong impact on Africa produced by the drastic changes in the post-Cold War international situation is almost over. Africa is entering a new historical era for peace, stability and development. Many hot spot issues in Africa have already been or are in the process of being gradually settled. At the same time, however, some countries and regions remain plagued by the scourge of war. We hope that the international community will continue to give attention and attach importance to African issues so as to help bring lasting peace and development to the whole African continent at an early date.
But the path towards peace is tortuous. After some major gains in preceding years, the Middle East peace process has hit snags again. China is concerned about this development. We hope that all the parties concerned will strive for an early comprehensive and just settlement of this issue by strictly observing the agreements already reached and resuming negotiations and dialogue on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.
Peace should have prevailed in the post-Cold War world in which equal members of the international community should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from invading each other or interfering in each other's internal affairs, and live in harmony with each other in the spirit of seeking common ground while putting aside differences. However, the reality is that the world today is far from being tranquil because the Cold War mentality still dies hard and hegemonism has repeatedly raised its ugly head. Interference in other countries’ internal affairs under various pretexts and indulgence in sanctions-wielding or even the use of force are trampling on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and all accepted norms of international relations, thereby threatening and undermining world peace and stability. Recent controversies in international fora generated by the issue of sanctions signify that in the context of a growing trend towards multipolarity, hegemonism and power politics will only come to grief.
Mr. President,
The vigorous expansion of international trade and investment and rapid advance of science and technology have brought about closer economic ties between countries and regions, thus accelerating the process of economic globalization. This presents a rare opportunity to both developed and developing countries. Riding the tide of globalization and relying on their own unremitting efforts, some developing countries have achieved sustained and rapid economic growth, thereby giving a great impetus to world economic growth. These and other changes in the world scene have widened the prospects of international cooperation.
Regrettably, however, a counter current of trade protectionism has recently arisen in the ranks of developed countries designed to hamstring the development of developing countries and exclude them from the decision-making process of major world economic issues. Any act prejudicial to developing countries will in the final analysis undermine the interests of developed countries. International economic exchanges and cooperation should be built on the basis of mutual complementarity. Facing the tide of economic globalization, neither developed nor developing countries should resort to trade protectionism. Rather, both should make necessary readjustment and reform in the light of their own national conditions, in order to promote their welfare and keep out of harm’s way. Only by enhancing international exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, can we jointly cope with new problems arising in the course of world economic advance and achieve sustained common development and prosperity.
No one should overlook the unevenness of world development and the further widening gap between developed and developing countries. Caught in the relentless international competition, the least developed countries are in distress and the risk of marginalization is looming large. To make matters worse, the amount of official development aid from richer countries is shrinking every year with harsher strings attached. The coffers of the United Nations development fund are drying up and future prospects are grim indeed. The international community and especially the developed countries, are duty-bound to take effective measures to reverse this dire situation. To promote economic development and prosperity of all countries and to eliminate poverty - - these should always be on top of the United Nations agenda.
To strengthen international cooperation in the field of environment and development is a vital link in the global endeavors to achieve sustainable development. Four years after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the public has become increasingly aware of the importance of environmental protection. Sustainable development has become a major objective in the socio-economic development strategies of all countries. However, international cooperation in this domain is disappointingly lagging. Developed countries have failed to live up to their pledges under Agenda 21 in terms of funding and technology transfer, yet they demand developing countries to accept obligations exceeding their capability at their present level of development. It is hoped that the next year’s United Nations Special Session on Environment and Development will be able to resolve these issues.
Poverty, unemployment, refugee, crime, over-population, environmental deterioration, drug abuse and terrorism - - these. scourges remain implacable and impede global stability and development. In the face of such challenges, all countries should not only carry out social development policies commensurate to their national conditions, but also actively cooperate with one another in line with the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. The United Nations needs to enhance its social programs focusing on developing countries. The international community at large should press for the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Cairo Conference on Population and Development, the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development and the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women in favor of universal social development.
Mr. President,
Our Organization has gone through vicissitudes in the course of half a century. Enormous changes have taken place in the world scene. It is imperative for the United Nations to carry out appropriate rational reforms so that it can better perform the noble mission of the times and to usher a better world into the 21st century,
All reforms must be conducive to realizing the purposes and principles of the Charter and improving the efficiency of the UN. They must also contribute to a more positive and effective role of the UN in promoting world peace and common development. They must conform to the principle of sovereign equality among all states, and reflect the aspirations of the developing countries which comprise more than two-thirds of the membership. Democratic consultations should be practiced throughout this process. We are confident that we will be able to achieve a broad consensus as long as all of us engage in patient deliberations in the spirit of openness and fair play, and with a readiness to consider all legitimate concerns.
The United Nations continues to be plagued by a serious financial crisis. The Organization cannot maintain normal operation without firm and reliable fiscal resources. We call on the major countries in arrears of their financial contributions to the Organization to fulfill the financial obligations set forth in the Charter by unconditionally paying up in full without further delay.
Mr. President,
Major progress has been made in the field of arms control and disarmament since the last session of the General Assembly. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty resulting from two and a half years of negotiations has finally been adopted by the General Assembly.
China actively participated in the CTBT negotiations and displayed maximum flexibility, thereby contributing significantly to the final conclusion of the Treaty. We always stand for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. In our view, CTBT is only a first step in the entire process of comprehensive nuclear disarmament. There are still huge stockpiles of nuclear arms in the world. Some nuclear powers still refuse to undertake not to be the first to use such weapons. We still have a long way to go and must continue to work strenuously in order to achieve the ultimate goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons.
In order to expedite nuclear disarmament and free ourselves from the danger of a nuclear war forever, I wish to reiterate these calls on behalf of the Chinese Government:
1. The major nuclear powers should renounce their policy of nuclear deterrence; those possessing huge nuclear arsenals should continue to drastically cut back their stockpiles.
2. All nuclear states should assume the obligation not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances; they should unconditionally renounce the use or threat of use of such weapons against non-nuclear states or nuclear-free zones; and they should conclude international instruments to this effect without delay.
3. Those states which have deployed nuclear weapons overseas should withdraw them completely; all nuclear states should pledge support to the moves to set up nuclear-free zones; they should respect the status of such zones and assume corresponding obligations.
4. All states should refrain from developing or deploying weapon systems in outer space and missile defense systems that undermine strategic security and stability.
5. All states should negotiate with a view to concluding an international convention on the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.
Since mankind has been able to produce nuclear weapons in the 20th century, it is fully capable of abolishing them in the 21st century. The Chinese Government and people are ready to join hands with all governments and peoples of the world to strive for the realization of this lofty goal.
Mr. President,
My country continues to press forward along the road of reform, opening-up and modernization. Our economy maintains a healthy momentum. Macro-economic environment continues to improve. We anticipate a growth rate of around 10% this year. Inflation will be kept below 10%. Despite severe natural disasters in some parts of the country, we have still managed to gather a bumper harvest of summer crops this year. Grain output for the entire year is expected to top the previous year’s figures. The Ninth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Outline of the Long-Range Objectives to the Year 2010 have been inaugurated this year. They depict a promising future for China’s modernization drive at the turn of the century. By the year 2000 we expect to quadruple our per capita GNP of 1980 when population will have a net increase of 300 million. And by the year 2010 our GNP is anticipated to be twice that of the year 2000. Then we will have put in place a viable socialist market economy. Seventeen years of reform and opening-up have brought about a 4-fold increase of our GNP. Our overall national strength will grow further in another 15 years. Yet China will still be a developing country with relatively low placing in areas like per capita GNP. China’s development will only help to bolster the elements making for peace. We pose no threat to anyone anywhere but will only help to strengthen the cause of world peace, stability and development. On the other hand, if China fails to achieve economic development and her population of 1.2 billion are bogged down in the mire of poverty, that would indeed be ominous for world peace and stability.
China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong as from 1 July 1997. This will be a milestone in the great cause of our national reunification. We have thereby set a good example of countries peacefully resolving issues left over by history. Preparations are under way to put into effect our resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. We are fully capable of ensuring a smooth transfer of government and transition in Hong Kong. After Hong Kong’s return to the embrace of the motherland, we will put into effect the policy of "one country, two systems". As a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and in conformity with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong will be administered by the Hong Kong people. It will enjoy a high degree of autonomy. The existing social and economic system and way of life will remain unchanged and the laws currently in force in Hong Kong will be basically maintained. Hong Kong will retain its status as an international trade, financial and shipping center, free port and separate customs territory. Its long-term stability and prosperity will be guaranteed. Foreign economic interests in Hong Kong will be accommodated.
Twenty-five years ago, the General Assembly adopted at its 26th session the historical Resolution 2758, solemnly declaring the restoration to the People’s Republic of China all its lawful rights in the United Nations. This resolution has thoroughly settled the question of China’s representation in the United Nation in all aspects - - political, legal and procedural. There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the sacred territory of China. "Peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" - - this is our unswerving guideline for settlement of the Taiwan question. This question involves a cardinal principle of China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and reunification. It is purely China’s internal affair which brooks no outside interference. The Chinese Government and people are determined to carry through the struggle against all attempts to split their territory or create an independent Taiwan. No force on earth can hold back China’s cause of reunification.
Mr. President,
The world is on the march. New contradictions and problems are cropping up. The profound changes in the international scene have brought forth rare opportunities as well as grim challenges. Let’s seize the opportunities, take up the challenges and press forward the cause of peace and development. Such is a glorious mission of the epoch which is bestowed on us. The Chinese Government and people are ready to join efforts with all other governments and peoples in this endeavor.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the
opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or
its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by
MIIS.
