Work Together to Promote Effective Global Governance
2010/03/24
(March 24, 2010)
Ladies and gentlemen, friends:
I am very pleased to participate in today's policy dialogue. Six months ahead of the Eighth ASEM Summit in Brussels, it is a timely move that the European Policy Center and the Leiden University organize this discussion on Asia and Europe’s role in creating a more effective global governance, by clustering opinions from both continents and from both government and academic community.
Since the end of the Cold War, particularly since the beginning of this century, we have witnessed in-depth development of globalization, and the world's political, economic and security situation has undergone tremendous changes. The eruption of the international financial and economic crisis highlighted the deficiencies and inadequacies of the existing international system in response to global challenges. Under the current circumstances, it is the consensus of the international community to reform and improve the existing international system and establish a mechanism of global governance that will work more effectively in balancing equality and efficiency. That’s an urgent task for all of us.
Over the past two difficult years, the international community worked in close cooperation, not only in cushioning the impact of the financial crisis, but also in advancing reform of the international system. The creation of G20 represents the prelude to global governance reform on economic front. In my view, the reform of global governance should proceed on the basis of the following considerations.
First, it must reflect the principle of equal participation, cooperation and inclusiveness. In a world that is increasingly globalized and interdependent, no international issue should be dictated by one or two countries. The solutions must come from equal consultation and cooperation among all countries. Countries with different values and social systems should respect and accommodate each other and also draw upon the experiences of each other.
Secondly, the reform of global governance must maintain good balance between efficiency and representation. It should reflect the changes in international political and economic structure. It should highlight both effectiveness and representation and take particular account of the interests and aspirations of the developing countries. They should have a larger voice in international affairs, so as to gradually improve their under-representation in international mechanisms.
Thirdly, we must respect the pivotal role of the United Nations and the accepted norms and principles. It is important to uphold the authority of the United Nations, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and abide by international law and universally recognized norms governing international relations. The global governance system should be based on international law with the United Nations as the core.
Fourthly, we must focus on pushing for concrete results in reforming global economic governance. Although the current international economic and financial situation has improved to certain extent, the pace of reform of the international financial system can not stop. It is necessary to make full use of the G20 platform for strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination, move forward the WTO Doha Round negotiations to achieve fair and balanced results, and stand firm against all forms of trade protectionism, so as to prevent relapse in world economic recovery. |It is important to implement as early as possible the reform targets for IMF and World Bank that were proposed by G20 Pittsburgh, improve the existing decision-making procedures and mechanisms in international financial institutions, promote the reform of international financial supervision system, and work for continuous progress in establishing rules and mechanisms of the G20 summit.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China's reform and opening up moves in parallel with the process of globalization. Over the past 30 years, relations between China and the rest of the world have undergone historic changes. China's future and destiny is increasingly locked up with the future and destiny of the world. China's stability and security depends on world's peace and tranquility, its development and revitalization is inseparable from the world's prosperity and progress. Therefore, to stick to opening up policy and expand international cooperation is not only a necessity for China's stability and more speedy development, but also a prerequisite for China's stronger influence and international role. While focusing on its own development, China will always be committed to promoting international cooperation and taking on more and more international responsibility which are compatible with its national strength and position. China is a responsible stakeholder in the international system and an active participant and promoter of global governance.
In terms of global economic governance, China has been intensively involved in international cooperation to combat the financial crisis, and has made important contributions to world economic stability and recovery. China honors its WTO commitments and is making efforts to push forward the Doha Round negotiations, with the view of establishing a fair and free international trading system.
On international security governance, China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has made outstanding contributions to the maintenance of world peace and security. On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East and other major international issues, China is committed to promoting peace and facilitating talks. We are actively participating in counter-terrorism and non-proliferation cooperation, and promoting the cause of international disarmament and arms control. China takes active participation in international peacekeeping operations, and sends biggest number of peacekeepers among the UN Security Council permanent members. China has played an active and constructive role in public health and safety cooperation as well as in the earthquake relief operations in Haiti.
On climate and environment governance, China has adopted a basic national policy of resource conservation and environmental protection. We have made specific commitments on substantial emission reduction targets by 2020. At the same time, we adhere to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", vigorously strengthen the international cooperation in response to climate change, and push the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference to achieve important and positive results. China will continue to work with other countries in the world to promote the international climate change negotiation process.
In building regional cooperation, China promotes bilateral and regional cooperation for regional peace and prosperity through mechanisms such as China-ASEAN Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, APEC, and Greater Mekong sub-regional cooperation. China holds that regional cooperation should follow the principle of openness and strengthen ties with other countries and international organizations.
On development aid and poverty reduction, China earnestly implements the UN Millennium Development Goals, and provides developing countries with sincere and selfless assistance. China announced 8 new initiatives for cooperation with Africa, cancelled debts of 49 heavily indebted poor countries and least developed countries, and provided more than 200 billion Yuan of assistance to other developing countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
While Asian and European countries have different historical and cultural background and stage of development, they share important consensus on the need to promote global governance. To strengthen Asia-Europe cooperation in the new international situation is very important for promoting global governance. First, the ideas and practice of the EU integration and regional cooperation in Asia, as well as the establishment and development of Asia-Europe Meeting, provide useful reference and inspiration to global governance on a regional level. Secondly, as Asia and Europe are two cradles of human civilization, strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the two continents is conducive to safeguarding the diversity of world civilization and providing ideological and cultural impetus to global governance. Thirdly, as Asia and Europe are both important forces in today’s world, better understanding and knowledge of each other will help the Asian and European countries to jointly advocate and practise multilateralism, which will lay a good foundation for the system of global governance.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China and the EU have many common views and proposals on major international issues including global governance. To further strengthen China-EU coordination and cooperation in the "post-crisis era" has a particular importance in promoting global governance. I believe that China and the EU could conduct close cooperation in the following four areas:
First, enhance mutual trust. To strengthen dialogue, communication and cultural exchanges, and to enhance mutual understanding and trust, will create a good atmosphere for China-EU cooperation on aspects of global governance. Soon the Shanghai World Expo will be open, the ASEM Summit and the 13th China-EU summit will take place late this year, and we will also celebrate the 35th anniversary of establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations. These important meetings and activities provide an opportunity for China and the EU to enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation. The two sides should make joint efforts to ensure the success of the above-mentioned meetings and events and push bilateral relations to a new level.
Secondly, expand pragmatic cooperation. China and the EU are each other's important trade partners. Good economic and trade relations not only serve our own interests, but will also promote world prosperity. China and the EU should continue to uphold the principle of equality, mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win outcome, further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, encourage Chinese and European companies to invest in each other and new “bright spot” of cooperation such as in green economy, low-carbon economy, and new energy sources.
Thirdly, tackle global challenges. The two sides should continue to strengthen cooperation in response to the international financial and economic crisis, jointly oppose trade protectionism, and consolidate the momentum of recovery in the world economy. The two sides should strengthen bilateral coordination for the two G20 summits upcoming this year, and push the international financial system reform to achieve results. We should support the position of the "Copenhagen Accord", earnestly implement our commitments, and jointly promote the process of international negotiations on climate change.
Fourthly, contribute new thinking to the future development of the world. China has put forward important thinking such as peaceful development, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and harmonious world. The EU’s philosophy and practice of effective multilateralism is also continuously developing. Both play important roles in guiding the direction of world development and the evolution of the international system. China and the EU should strengthen exchange of ideas and visions on global governance, so as to make greater contributions to the progress of mankind.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A poet in China’s Tang Dynasty once wrote that: "Great friends have no distance, and they are like neighbors even thousands of miles apart." In an era of globalization, all countries have more converging interests and they are more inter-dependent. Both prosperity and peril may become contagious. To overcome distrust, enhance mutual trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and promote global governance, will not only create more space for one’s own development, but is also conducive to world peace and prosperity. In this regard, governments need to work together, and think tanks can make their useful input. In view of this, I wish this policy dialogue a complete success and contribute more thinking and wisdom to more effective global governance.
Thank you!