Oct. 25 marks the 45th anniversary of the recovery of China’s rightful seat in the United Nations. Looking back over the past 45 years, China has maintained international order centered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and also engaged in UN affairs. This history provides the world with a glimpse into the future role rising China will play on the international stage.

Although China was one of the founding members of the UN, its membership was withdrawn by the UN for a long time due to political and historical reasons. The restoration of China’s legitimate seat boosted the power of developing countries. What’s more, over the past 45 years, the world has witnessed China’s significant role in maintaining international order, fulfilling its duties as a permanent member of the Security Council and supporting each UN development agenda.

Professor Ford at Oxford University even concluded that, “given China’s influence in and familiarity with the UN, the multilateral organization has become a major platform [from which] China exerts global influence.”

A developing China indicates a growing power in support of UN missions. Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that confrontations and injustices in the modern world call for duly observing rather than immediately updating the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

“We should support the international order and international system, consolidate the victorious outcome of the World War II, maintain an open world economic system and oppose protectionism in trade or investment,” Xi added.

The important statement given by Xi suggests that China does not want to “abandon all established rules” under new historical conditions. Instead, China hopes to focus on reforming and improving current rules, letting the UN play its role.

Unilateralism and power politics undeniably exist in today’s political climate. Moreover, opposition and disagreements occur, posing a threat to UN authority. In such circumstances, China has committed to always protecting the purposes and principles of the UN Charter with concrete actions.

The UN has already seen the highlights of China’s great diplomacy. President Xi, during the general debate of the UN General Assembly held last September, offered a roadmap for the global community by proposing a new type of international relationship – one based on in-depth analysis of politics, security, economics, culture and natural ecosystems.

Based on conclusions from history, the roadmap explained how to implement the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and how to effectively protect and develop the international system with the UN as its core.

There is plenty of evidence that China emphasizes the UN in its diplomacy. For instance, before the G20 Hangzhou summit in September, China listened to the appeals of many different parties, including UN members. The Hangzhou summit was the first one to prioritize development issues under a global macroeconomic policy framework. It was also the first summit to make an action plan for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Some scholars pointed out that China’s performance during the summit embodies its role as a bridge between the North and the South under the UN system.

“The UN is entering a new era. China’s participation will surely enhance the authoritative role that the UN plays in major international issues,” a representative from the Netherlands said when China attended its first post-suspension UN General Assembly. History has since proven the accuracy of those words.

For the past 45 years, China has made historical developments and solidified its resolution to promote world peace and development. In the future, China will actively engage in UN affairs and continue to build world peace, contribute to global development and maintain international order.

This article was edited and translated from 为联合国事业贡献中国力量（钟声）