Xi highlights multilateralism at meeting with UN chief

BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Friday that his country has always believed that multilateralism is the only path that best suits the interests of the people of all countries.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

There is no better choice for world countries other than strengthening multilateral cooperation in the face of one global challenge after another, Xi said.

The Chinese president said he has been pondering on how world countries can achieve joint consultation and shared benefits, harmony in diversity and cooperation for win-win results in the face of a variety of interests and concerns, which led to his proposals of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative.

No matter how the situation changes, Xi said, China will uphold multilateralism and support the UN to play an even bigger role, Xi said.

Xi said he believes that most of the countries in the world will stand on the side of multilateralism.

He pointed out that strengthening cooperation with the UN has been a consistent diplomatic priority of China.

China will actively participate in the 24th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change scheduled for December in Poland and strive for a comprehensive and balanced result, Xi said.

Guterres called on the international community to be firmly committed to advancing multilateralism and let multilateralism play its part.

He noted that China has always upheld multilateralism, supported international cooperation in tackling climate change and other areas and played an exemplary role in implementing the Paris Agreement, and that the UN highly appreciates the efforts by the Chinese side.

China has proved to be an important pillar for multilateralism, the UN chief said.

The UN expects China to play a bigger role in promoting global trade, tackling climate change and realizing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, he said.