BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China sees multilateralism as a cornerstone of the international system and will resolutely uphold a United Nations-centered international system, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China will carry the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, continue to stand on the right side of history and on the side of the common interests of a majority of countries, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

Noting the rising unilateralism and protectionism in the last few years, Wang said more and more countries are stepping forward to resist and oppose this disturbing trend.

"We rise and fall together," he said. "Instead of each going his way, we should act as a team. Instead of minding his own business, we should help each other as passengers in the same boat."

Championing multilateralism is an overwhelming consensus of the international community. The practice of multilateralism will make international relations more democratic and our world a more multipolar one, he said.

China will work with all nations under the principle of multilateralism to resolutely uphold an international system centered on the United Nations and an international order underpinned by international law, he said.