The second batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by China to Togo arrives in the latter’s
capital city Lome, Aug. 20, 2021. (Photo/Embassy of China in Togo)
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled “Bolstering Confidence and Jointly
Overcoming Difficulties to Build a Better World” at the general debate of the 76th session of
the United Nations (UN) General Assembly via video link on September 21.
Xi’s speech at the platform of the UN, the most universal, representative and authoritative
international organization, following the Chinese leader’s addresses at the high-level meetings
marking the 75th anniversary of the UN last year, bears great significance for promoting
global solidarity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulating global economic recovery, and
improving global governance when the international community needs more than ever to
jointly meet challenges and achieve common development as the world is once again at a
historical crossroads.
“COVID-19 reminds us that we are living in an interconnected global village with a common
stake. All countries are closely connected and we share a common future,” said Xi in his
speech at the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly last September.
He also elaborated on the great significance and practical ways of building a community with
a shared future for mankind in the speech.
When changes unseen in a century are intertwined with the COVID-19 pandemic in today’s
world, people understand better the profound significance of China’s solutions to global
challenges and have shown stronger support for the country’s idea of building a community
with a shared future for mankind.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently presented a report entitled “Our Common
Agenda” to the UN General Assembly, stressing that the world needs effective multilateralism
and calling on countries to re-embrace global solidarity and find new ways to work together
for the common good and eventually build a safer and greener future for mankind.
Against the backdrop of resurging epidemic, sluggish economic recovery and profound and
complex changes to international order, the report’s suggestions on strengthening global
solidarity and cooperation and creating a better future mirror the strong desire of people
around the world to turn the Earth into a big warm family and their aspirations for a better life
realities. The desire is also an important part of the concept of building a community with a
shared future for mankind.
To build a community with a shared future for mankind, countries must intensify international
anti-epidemic cooperation, which is the most urgent task at present.
Countries around the globe have so far reported a total of more than 220 million confirmed
COVID-19 cases and over 4.6 million deaths from COVID-19. Such a crisis unseen in a
century makes global cooperation an imperative choice.
Always putting people and their lives first, China has not only achieved significant strategic
results in curbing the pandemic at home, but actively advocated and practiced the idea of
building a community of common health for mankind and carried out the largest humanitarian
operation in the world since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), trying its
best to help other countries, especially developing countries, combat the virus.
As of June, China had provided anti-epidemic supplies for more than 150 countries and 13
international organizations. To date, the country has provided nearly 1.2 billion doses of
finished and bulk COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 countries and international organizations,
and will strive to provide a total of 2 billion doses by the end of this year. It has made
contributions to the global public health cause and demonstrated its sense of responsibility as
a major country with practical actions.
To build a community with a shared future for mankind, countries must promote common
development, which is the key to improving people’s well-being.
Although world economy is climbing out of the deep recession triggered by the COVID-19
pandemic, countries’ economic recoveries are following divergent trajectories, and the North-
South gap risks further widening and even perpetuation.
China has advocated stepping up macroeconomic policy coordination and jointly promoting
strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the world economy. By effectively
balancing epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, the
country has restored and stabilized economic growth, injecting strong impetus into the
recovery and development of world economy.
China has continuously expanded opening-up, providing important development opportunities
for countries around the world; and it has promoted high-quality construction of the Belt and
Road with other countries, making positive contributions to the common prosperity of
humankind.
To build a community with a shared future for mankind, countries must constantly improve
global governance, which is a guarantee of common development and progress.
The world has entered into a phase of fluidity and transformation, with instability and
uncertainty clearly on the rise. The future of humanity depends on what countries do at the
moment.
They should bear in mind the shared interests of mankind and make responsible and wise
choices to uphold and practice true multilateralism and improve global governance.
Committed to a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint
contribution and shared benefits, China believes that international affairs should be addressed
through consultation and the future of the world should be decided by everyone working
together, and stresses adhering to the universal values of peace, development, fairness, justice,
democracy and freedom, pointing the way for countries to peaceful coexistence, mutual
benefits and win-win results.
It is the universal aspiration of mankind to let everyone live in peace and harmony, make the
fruits of development benefit all countries, and allow various civilizations to coexist in
harmony.
This year marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China as well as the 50th
anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the PRC in the UN. Standing at the new
starting point, China will, together with the rest of the world, make new contributions to
world peace and tranquility, global development and prosperity, and exchanges and mutual
learning among civilizations, so as to benefit all by building a community with a shared future
for mankind.
