U.N. Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterres (L) meets China's President Xi Jinping at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Nov. 28, 2016, in Beijing, China. (Photo : Getty Images)
China will continue to participate in and support in the affairs of the United Nations, President Xi JInping told U.N. Secretary-General designate Antonio Guterres on Monday.
Xi added that the U.N. should implement the 2030 sustainable development agenda and Paris climate agreement, and look after the interests of developing nations while at the same time help them voice their opinions and aid them.
The Chinese president also noted that 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of the restoration of China's seat at the U.N. assembly.
In turn, Guterres thanked China for supporting the U.N.
The U.N. is willing to cooperate closely with China and promote world peace, security, and prosperity, he told reporters.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who had a separate meeting with Guterres, said China is willing to increase its cooperation with other nations to maintain the authority of the U.N., improve its ability to tackle emergencies, and facilitate sustainable and inclusive development.
The 67-year-old Guterres served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002.
He served as U.N. high commissioner for refugees from 2005 to 2015 before being elected to succeed Ban Ki-Moon as U.N. secretary-general. He will assume the post at the start of 2017.
Guterres visited Russia and Kazakhstan before making his first visit to China since becoming the secretary-general designate in October.
In another meeting on Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Guterres praised China for initiating new global instruments such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative to help other nations achieve sustainable development through cooperation. He also cited China's efforts in bringing together nations in conflict to resolve issues through dialogue.
"China is a solid pillar for multilateralism," Guterres added.
Guterres's words elicited positive remarks in China, with local academicians noting the U.N. as an effective platform for China to exercise its leadership and bring nations together to tackle global issues.
No country can succeed in solving global issues alone, said Shen Yongxin, an expert in world history studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told China Daily.
