People's Republic of China, 1999

Please allow me to warmly congratulate you, Sir, on your

assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at

this session. I am confident that with your wisdom and

experience, you will be able to accomplish your lofty

mission successfully. At the same time, I would like to

express my appreciation to Mr. Opertti for the

contribution he made as President of the General

Assembly at its previous session. I also wish to take this

opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to the

Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru and the

Kingdom of Tonga on their admission to the membership

of the United Nations.

The current session of the General Assembly is of

special significance, as it is the last one of this century. A

review of the past may help us predict the future. In

retrospect, during the past century humanity, on the one

hand, created unprecedented material wealth and culture

and, on the other, suffered from the scourge of two world

wars and the ordeal of the cold war, which lasted for

almost 50 years. Since the end of the cold war, the world

has been moving towards multipolarity and the overall

international situation has started to relax. The

maintenance of peace, the pursuit of stability and the

promotion of development have become the common

aspiration and demand of the people of all countries.

Nevertheless, the harsh reality suggests that the world is

far from tranquil. The cold-war mentality still lingers on.

Hegemonism and power politics have manifested

themselves in new expressions. Military blocs are being

expanded and reinforced, and there is an increasing

tendency towards military intervention. Triggered by

ethnic, religious and territorial issues, regional conflicts

and disputes continue to emerge one after another. The

conflict between the North and the South has become

ever more acute. The gap between the rich and the poor

continues to grow. World peace is still elusive, and

development faces even more serious challenges.

Hegemonism and power politics are the root causes

of the turmoil in today’s world. The outbreak of war in

Kosovo sounded a resounding alarm. A regional military

organization, in the name of humanitarianism and human

rights, bypassed the United Nations to take large-scale

15

military actions against a sovereign State, thus creating an

ominous precedent in international relations. This act was

a violation of the United Nations Charter and other

universally recognized norms governing international

relations. It has eroded the leading role of the United

Nations in safeguarding world peace and security and

gravely undermined the authority of the United Nations

Security Council. During that war, the Chinese Embassy in

the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was bombed, which

caused heavy casualties and much loss of property. It was

an incident such as has rarely been seen in diplomatic

history, and naturally roused the utmost indignation of the

entire Chinese people and the strong condemnation of the

international community.

As a permanent member of the Security Council,

China has held a clear and consistent position on the issue

of Kosovo. We seek no selfish interests and are only

upholding justice. For the sake of peace, we maintain that

the Kosovo issue should be resolved through peaceful

negotiations on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and

territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

and with guarantees of the legitimate rights and interest of

all ethnic groups in Kosovo. We are opposed to the use of

force under any pretext.

Mankind is on the threshold of the twenty-first

century. Where should the world go? What kind of new

international political and economic order should be

established? These are urgent questions facing the

Governments and the peoples of all countries.

The world is undergoing significant and profound

changes. A changed world calls for a corresponding new

international political and economic order. World peace and

development demand the establishment of a just and

reasonable new international order, which is the common

aspiration of the international community. It should be

based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence, the

purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and

other universally recognized principles governing

international relations. In this connection, I wish to

highlight the following points.

The first relates to sovereign equality and non-

interference in the internal affairs of others. Such arguments

as human rights taking precedence over sovereignty and

humanitarian intervention seem to be in vogue these days.

Some countries have even put such arguments into practice.

We believe that it is the sacred duty of all Governments to

promote and protect human rights and fundamental

freedoms, and that all countries have an obligation to

promote and protect the human rights and fundamental

freedoms of their own peoples in accordance with the

purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and

international human rights instruments, and in the light of

their respective national conditions and relevant laws. But

as political systems, levels of economic development,

history, cultural background and values vary from country

to country, it is only natural that countries should have

different interpretations and even diverging views on

human rights. Countries should engage in dialogue and

exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect so

as to better understand each other, expand common

ground and handle their differences properly, rather than

resort to confrontation or interference in the internal

affairs of others under the pretext of human rights.

The issue of human rights is, in essence, the internal

affair of a given country, and should be addressed mainly

by the Government of that country through its own

efforts. Ours is a diversified world. Each country has the

right to choose its own social system, approach to

development and values that are suited to its national

conditions. The history of China and other developing

countries shows that a country’s sovereignty is the

prerequisite for and the basis of the human rights that the

people of that country can enjoy. When the sovereignty

of a country is put in jeopardy, its human rights can

hardly be protected effectively. Sovereign equality, mutual

respect for State sovereignty and non-interference in the

internal affairs of others are the basic principles governing

international relations today. In spite of the major changes

in the post-cold-war international situation, these

principles are by no means out of date. Any deviation

from or violation of these principles would destroy the

universally recognized norms governing international

relations, and would lead to the rule of hegemonism; if

the notion of “might is right” should prevail, a new gun-

boat policy would wreak havoc, the sovereignty and

independence by virtue of which some small and weak

countries protect themselves would be jeopardized and

international peace and stability would be seriously

endangered.

The Kosovo crisis has proved that to engage in so-

called humanitarian intervention in a sovereign State with

neither a mandate from the Security Council nor the prior

consent of the country concerned will cause a greater

humanitarian catastrophe instead of resolving the problem.

In view of this, under the current circumstances, the

principles of respect for State sovereignty and non-

interference in the internal affairs of others must be

16

effectively strengthened rather than weakened in order to

maintain world peace and stability.

The second principle is the pacific settlement of

international disputes. This principle, initiated by the Hague

peace conference 100 years ago, is now an important

principle of the United Nations Charter and a basic

principle of contemporary international law. History shows

that deviation from this principle over the past century has

led to, “the scourge of war, which twice ... has brought

untold sorrow to mankind”, and to foreign aggression,

which has inflicted tremendous suffering on the peoples of

a number of countries. In the current international situation,

adherence to the principle of the pacific settlement of

international disputes is still highly relevant to the

contemporary world.

The pacific settlement of international disputes is

predicated on the non-use and non-threat of force in

international relations. We maintain that handling State-to-

State relations with the mentality and modalities of “hot”

wars, cold wars, power politics or bloc politics will get

nowhere. All international disputes and regional conflicts

should be resolved in a fair and reasonable manner through

peaceful negotiation and consultation on the basis of

equality, rather than through the arbitrary use or threat of

force based on the power of military superiority. Only in

this way can fundamental solutions to disputes or conflicts

be found without complicating or aggravating them or

leaving behind a hidden peril. And only in this way can

States coexist in harmony and achieve common

development. This is the only way to lasting peace and

stability in the world. Otherwise, the world will never be a

tranquil place.

The third principle relates to strengthening the role of

the United Nations and preserving the authority of the

Security Council. The role of the United Nations is

indispensable for the achievement of genuine peace and

development and for the establishment of a just and

reasonable new international order. Strengthening the role

of the United Nations is in line with the historical trend; it

meets the needs of the times and conforms to the shared

aspiration of all the world’s peoples. In order to strengthen

the role of the United Nations, efforts should first be made

to uphold the sanctity of the purposes and principles of the

Charter. The most important reason why the United Nations

has been able to grow from 51 founding Members to its

current size is that it has acted according to these purposes

and principles. Those purposes and principles of the Charter

of the United Nations have already taken deep root in

international practice and form a legal basis on which

peaceful and friendly relations between countries are

guided. It is the view of the Chinese Government that

despite the great changes that have taken place in the

international situation, the purposes and principles of the

United Nations Charter are still relevant. We are opposed

to any irresponsible interpretation or revision of them,

with whatever excuse.

If the United Nations role is to be strengthened, the

authority of the Security Council must be preserved.

According to the provisions of the Charter, the Security

Council shoulders primary responsibility for safeguarding

international peace and security. It has been proved that

the role of the Security Council is irreplaceable. Given

the current circumstances, it is imperative to preserve its

authority and leading role. Any act to weaken this

authority or to impose the will of an individual country or

a group of countries on the Security Council is very

dangerous. Instead of contributing to the maintenance of

peace, it will further breed power politics and

hegemonism and will give rise to endless troubles.

If the United Nations role is to be strengthened, it is

essential to ensure that all Member States have the right

to equal participation in international affairs, so that their

reasonable propositions will be fully reflected and their

legitimate rights and interests protected by the United

Nations. Decisions adopted by the United Nations must

give expression to the common will of the majority of its

Member States. Any attempt by a few countries or a

group of countries to monopolize world affairs and decide

the destiny of the people of other countries goes against

the trend of the times and will never succeed.

Fourthly, we must foster a new security concept and

safeguard international security. The old security concept

is based on military alliance and arms build-up and does

not help safeguard international security, still less build a

lasting peace in the world. In today’s world it is

necessary to foster a new security concept that satisfies

the needs of the times and to explore new ways of

maintaining peace and security. The core of the new

security concept should be mutual trust, mutual benefit,

equality and cooperation. The Five Principles of Peaceful

Coexistence and the purposes of the United Nations

Charter are the political foundation for the maintenance of

international security, while mutually beneficial

cooperation and common development constitute its

economic guarantee. Dialogue on an equal footing, full

consultation and peaceful negotiations are the right way

to maintain international security.

17

Relaxation in the international situation and the

disarmament process are complementary to each other. It is

regrettable, however, that some recent negative

developments in the international situation have seriously

hindered the healthy development of the disarmament

process. How to promote the disarmament process, prevent

an arms race and safeguard international security have

become pressing concerns for the international community.

We are opposed to any attempt, on the basis of excuses that

are not genuine, to seek military strength that goes beyond

a country’s legitimate defence needs. We are also opposed

to any attempt to restrict and weaken other countries in the

name of disarmament and non-proliferation in order to seek

absolute, unilateral security supremacy for one country or

group of countries. We call on the international community

to take the new security concept as a guideline and

wholeheartedly promote the healthy development of the

disarmament process, in the interest of world peace and

security.

Fifthly, we must reform the international economic

system and promote the common development of all

countries. The old and irrational economic order has

seriously impeded the sound development of the world

economy, further widening the wealth gap between the

North and the South. The East Asian financial crisis that

broke out two years ago has affected many countries in the

world. To prevent financial risks and ensure economic

security has become an urgent task facing many countries,

especially the developing countries. The world economy is

an interrelated and indivisible whole. All members of the

international community should take a responsible approach

and, in a spirit of risk sharing, strengthen their cooperation

and jointly promote a steady growth of the world economy.

Therefore, it is necessary to reform the current

international economic and financial systems. The United

Nations and the international financial institutions should

earnestly construct a framework to prevent and overcome

financial and other economic risks. Accordingly, the

developed countries should take on more obligations. The

developing countries have the right to equal participation in

world economic decision-making and the formulation of

relevant rules. In the new round of negotiations that will

soon begin in the World Trade Organization, the reasonable

demands of developing countries should be fully reflected.

Cooperation should be strengthened on the basis of mutual

benefit. No country should prejudice other countries’

economic security and development by virtue of its

economic, technological and financial advantages. We

should all oppose trade discrimination, the rich bullying the

poor and the arbitrary resort to economic sanctions or the

threat of sanctions against other countries. The developed

and developing countries both have their own advantages

and should learn from each other to make up for their

deficiencies so as to achieve common sustainable

development.

Moreover, on such global issues as the environment,

population, poverty and debt the developed countries

should not shirk their responsibility and obligation; rather,

they should take the lead in providing technological and

financial assistance to the developing countries. We deem

it necessary for the United Nations to hold a special

conference at an appropriate time to discuss the

globalization of the world economy, in order to promote

international cooperation in this field and to achieve

common prosperity.

The People’s Republic of China will soon celebrate

its fiftieth anniversary. For half a century, especially in

the last 21 years of reform and opening-up, earth-shaking

changes have taken place in China, and the Chinese

people have scored tremendous achievements in socialist

economic, political and cultural development as well as in

diplomatic and other endeavours. Following Hong Kong’s

return to the motherland the year before last, the Chinese

Government will soon resume the exercise of sovereignty

over Macao. At present, China enjoys political stability,

sustained economic growth, national unity, social

tranquillity and progress. Although difficulties and serious

challenges still lie ahead, we are confident and capable of

overcoming the difficulties, rising to the challenges and

forging ahead with every aspect of the socialist cause of

building a strong, prosperous, democratic and culturally

advanced country.

In the face of international vicissitudes, the Chinese

Government will steadfastly take up economic

development as the central task, resolutely press ahead

with reform and opening up, consistently maintain social

stability and unswervingly pursue an independent foreign

policy of peace. We are willing to continue to develop

friendly relations and cooperation on the basis of the five

principles of peaceful coexistence with all other countries

in the world and to make our due contribution to

safeguarding world peace and promoting common

development.

The Chinese Government and people will, as always,

resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial

integrity and will continue to advance the great cause of

national reunification. It is a fact universally recognized

by the international community that there is only one

18

China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of

Chinese territory and that the Government of the People's

Republic of China is the sole legitimate government

representing the whole of China. China's territory and

sovereignty are absolutely indivisible. The ultimate

reunification of the motherland represents the common

aspiration and firm resolve of all the Chinese people,

including our compatriots on Taiwan. No force can hold us

back in this great cause.

The Chinese Government will continue to adhere to its

established policy for settling the question of Taiwan. We

are firmly opposed to any efforts to create “independence

for Taiwan”, “two Chinas”, or “one China, one Taiwan”.

All moves to divide the motherland are doomed to failure.

China's great cause of national reunification can and will be

accomplished.

A few days ago a powerful earthquake shook China's

province of Taiwan. This earthquake caused heavy loss of

life and property damage for our compatriots in Taiwan.

We are extremely concerned about this catastrophe and

express our sympathy to our compatriots on the island. We

also express our condolences to the families of the victims

of the earthquake. People on both sides of the strait are

brothers and sisters in one big family. The disaster that hit

Taiwan and the pains of our compatriots on the island are

shared by the entire Chinese people. We will provide every

possible support and assistance to alleviate the harm caused

by the earthquake.

I take this opportunity to thank the President of the

General Assembly and the international community as a

whole for their sympathy, condolences and assistance.

The twenty-first century is dawning. The future of the

world is bright, and the new century is bound to be a more

splendid one than this. The Chinese people stand ready to

work with the people of other countries for the

establishment of a just and rational new international order,

for peace and development in the new century, and for the

overall progress of human society.