China held the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in May, 2026. In that capacity, it called a high-level meeting on May 26. The theme of this meeting was ‘Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System’. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, travelled to New York to chair the meeting. He also attended the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York on May 28 and held a considerable number of bilateral meetings, particularly with his counterparts who had also travelled to New York to attend the meetings. Prior to returning home, Wang also visited Canada, May 28-30.
In his remarks to the high-level meeting held on May 26, Wang Yi said that the international situation is undergoing the most complex and profound changes since the end of World War II. The giant ship of human civilisation is sailing into dangerous waters, and world peace and development are at a crossroads. The challenges confronting us are testing the international community’s commitment to safeguarding peace, its resolve to stand up for justice, and its courage to make bold reforms. Members must stand united and act together to defend, revitalise and strengthen the UN.
He advanced a number of proposals in this regard:
- Reinvigorating the UN Charter for stronger leadership. The root cause of the chaos in today’s world is not that the Charter’s spirit is outdated, but that the international order and the basic norms governing international relations, both set out in the Charter, are not being effectively upheld and observed. Members must uphold sovereign equality, oppose interference in internal affairs; uphold the peaceful settlement of disputes, oppose the use of force; uphold the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose glorifying the history of aggression. Major countries, in particular, have the responsibility to lead by example in following the rule of law and the right path, and should not practice double standards, exceptionalism or selective application.
- Reinvigorating the authority of the Security Council for greater ability to act. What comes with Security Council membership is not privileges, but responsibilities. Members should rise above the narrow national interests and use international public goods responsibly. Any unilateral military action that circumvents the Council’s mandate is unacceptable, and any unilateral sanction that exceeds the Council’s resolutions lacks legitimacy.
- Reinvigorating global development cooperation for stronger mobilisation. As the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is woefully behind schedule, the UN needs to vigorously coordinate global actions and fully mobilise global resources. It is important to solidify the pillar of development, strengthen the development system, provide countries of the Global South with more funding, technological and intellectual support in key areas such as poverty reduction, and urge developed countries to deliver on their development financing pledges. It is imperative to earnestly increase the representation and say of developing countries at the IMF and the World Bank. China supports the UN in strengthening dialogue with BRICS countries, the G20, the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for a universally beneficial and balanced global economic and financial governance system.
- Reinvigorating the global governance platform for stronger execution capacity. Faced with emerging threats and challenges, no country can stay unaffected. A united response is the only way forward. Members should strengthen the sense of a community with a shared future for humanity, replace coercion with consultation, zero-sum with win-win, and small circles with greater unity.
- Reinvigorating the effectiveness of the UN system for stronger vitality. Member states should fulfill their financial obligations with real actions, support the UN in performing its mandate, and steadily contribute to the cause of the UN, rather than willfully withdraw from treaties and organisations, still less establish alternatives.
Wang Yi stressed that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the UN. For 55 years, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has taken an active part in the UN cause. From this historic point onward, China will continue to uphold principles and follow the path of justice. Together with all countries, China will pursue greater unity under the banner of multilateralism, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Following the meeting Wang Yi briefed the press.
He explained that the meeting was proposed by China in its capacity as the rotating President of the Security Council. He pointed out that in recent times, the purposes of the UN Charter have been disregarded, the basic norms governing international relations have been undermined, and world peace and security are in jeopardy. At this critical juncture, the Security Council must step forward and shoulder its responsibilities.
It was widely agreed that the UN Charter has not become outdated and remains the cornerstone of the international order. The centrality of the UN must be strengthened, not weakened. As none of us wants to see international relations slide back to the law of the jungle, we need to uphold the same system, the U.N.-centered international system, and observe the same set of rules – the basic norms governing international relations based on the Charter.
It was also widely agreed that the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable, and that the domination of international affairs by one or a few countries no longer corresponds to the trend of the times. We should firmly follow the path of multilateralism, do our utmost to safeguard unity, oppose division, seek cooperation, reject confrontation, and jointly inject much-needed stability and certainty into the world.
The view that current global governance has visibly fallen behind and needs to be reformed and improved in keeping with the times was also widely shared. Global governance should reflect the aspirations of all countries in a more balanced way and ensure equal participation and shared benefits for all. In particular, it is important to increase the representation and voice of the Global South and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system.
Wang also pointed out that to reinvigorate the UN, the Security Council must first be reinvigorated. To achieve this goal, he stressed the following:
- All Security Council members must regard the maintenance of peace as their shared responsibility, observe the Charter, uphold justice, refrain from pursuing narrow self-interest, and avoid bloc confrontation.
- The representation and voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized states should be increased through reform, in particular by addressing the historical injustice faced by Africa.
- The objectivity, fairness, and inclusiveness of Security Council proposals should be enhanced, and the five permanent members, in particular, should play an exemplary role in this regard.
- The international community should jointly oppose all unilateral acts that bypass the Security Council, so that unilateral bullying finds no support and no legitimacy.
In his keynote speech to the May 28 meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, Wang Yi said that the current international situation is marked by intertwined changes and turbulence. Countries are calling for fairness and justice, longing for solidarity and cooperation, and aspiring to peace and stability. Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative last September, emphasising five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centred approach, and real actions. In less than a year, the initiative has received support and response from nearly 160 countries and international organisations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance has been successively established in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with membership reaching over 60 countries. Guided by the spirit of equality and mutual respect, members have held extensive discussions and reached consensus on five key points including advancing greater democracy in international relations, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, narrowing the North-South divide, and addressing the most pressing challenges.
He stressed that reforming and improving global governance is a historic mission for this generation and said that China proposes the following nine reform directions:
- Promoting UN reform for greater efficiency. The purpose of reform is to enhance the United Nations, not weaken it. UN reform should be led by member states and carried out in a fair, inclusive and transparent manner. Member states should be urged to fulfill their financial obligations, and budget management and fiscal accountability should be strengthened.
- Enhancing the authority and capacity of the Security Council. The voice of developing countries and the vast number of small and medium-sized countries should be strengthened, and the historical injustice faced by Africa should be addressed as a priority. Unilateral actions and sanctions that bypass the Security Council should be opposed.
- Adapting peacekeeping operations to the demands of the times. The three principles of peacekeeping should be upheld and improved, and peacekeeping operations should be better mandated and empowered. The United Nations should be supported in strengthening coordination with regional organisations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so as to build a combined force for mediation on regional hotspot issues.
- Building international consensus on accelerating development. Development should be pushed back to the centre of the UN agenda, and the post-2030 development agenda should be planned ahead. Developed countries should fulfill their commitments on development financing. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be upheld, and a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system should be built.
- Steering global human rights governance in the right direction. The one-sided approach of placing human rights above sovereignty should be abandoned, and it should be made clear that it is the people of each country who judge and improve their own human rights.
- Deepening reform of the economic and financial system. The shareholding review of the World Bank should be accelerated, and a meaningful adjustment of IMF quota shares should be achieved as soon as possible. The dispute settlement mechanism should be restored to normal operation, and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules should be updated to keep pace with the times.
- Establishing rules for artificial intelligence (AI) governance. A people-centred and AI-for-good approach should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in playing its role as the main channel. The digital divide should be prevented from widening, and guardrails should be set for military applications and governance of AI.
- Strengthening governance in emerging domains such as cyberspace and outer space. The four principles of respecting cyber sovereignty, maintaining peace and security, promoting open cooperation and building good order should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in advancing global cyberspace and digital governance. Outer space should be used for peaceful purposes.
- Promoting exchanges among civilisations and achieving inclusive mutual learning.
The meeting reached consensus on five key points:
- All members support the democratisation of international relations. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have the right to choose their own social systems and development paths, and to participate, decide and benefit equally in global governance.
- All members call for upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, ensuring the equal application of international law and international rules, and opposing double standards and coercion.
- All members support safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, practicing multilateralism, strengthening multilateral mechanisms, and opposing unilateralism and power politics.
- All members support reforming and improving global governance and narrowing the North-South divide to ensure that all countries share the benefits of development and that no country is left behind.
- All members call for addressing the most pressing challenges facing the international community through concrete actions and practical results to ensure global governance meets the needs of the times and the people.
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Wang Yi Chairs United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-Centered International System”
May 27 (MFA) – On May 26, 2026 local time, at the initiative of China as the rotating President of the United Nations Security Council for this month, the Security Council held a high-level meeting themed “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-centered International System”. The meeting was chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a briefing on the situation. Representatives from over 100 countries, including more than 20 foreign ministers and high-level representatives, made a special trip to attend the meeting.
In his remarks, Wang Yi said that the international situation is undergoing the most complex and profound changes since the end of World War II. The giant ship of human civilization is sailing into dangerous waters, and world peace and development is at a crossroads. The challenges confronting us are testing the international community’s commitment to safeguarding peace, its resolve to stand up for justice, and its courage to take bold reforms. Members must stand united and act together to defend, revitalize and strengthen the U.N.
First, reinvigorating the U.N. Charter for stronger leadership. The root cause of the chaos in today’s world is not that the Charter’s spirit is outdated, but that the international order and the basic norms governing international relations, both set out in the Charter, are not being effectively upheld and observed. The international community should return to the founding vision of the Charter, carry forward its spirit and fulfill the obligations under it. Members must uphold sovereign equality, oppose interference in internal affairs; uphold the peaceful settlement of disputes, oppose the use of force; uphold the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose glorifying the history of aggression. All member states should align their policies with the spirit of the Charter and jointly observe and act on the Charter. Major countries, in particular, have the responsibility to lead by example in following the rule of law and the right path, and should not practice double standards, exceptionalism or selective application.
Second, reinvigorating the authority of the Security Council for greater ability to act. The more volatile the world, the greater the leadership required of the Security Council to effectively manage conflicts and their spillovers. What comes with Security Council membership is not privileges, but responsibilities. Members should rise above the narrow national interests and use international public goods responsibly. The Security Council needs to improve its Rules of Procedure to ensure proposals are objective, impartial and inclusive, and avoid forcing through contentious proposals or initiatives. The permanent members should increase communication and coordination on major proposals, seek maximum commonality and reduce contention and confrontation, and take effective actions to uphold the solidarity and credibility of the Council. The international community should also conscientiously defend the Council’s authority. Any unilateral military action that circumvents the Council’s mandate is unacceptable, and any unilateral sanction that exceeds the Council’s resolutions lacks legitimacy. The value and effectiveness of U.N. peacekeeping operations should be assessed, and necessary reforms should be undertaken to transform and upgrade them in order to truly safeguard peace.
Third, reinvigorating global development cooperation for stronger mobilization. As the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is woefully behind schedule, the U.N. needs to vigorously coordinate global actions and fully mobilize global resources. It is important to solidify the pillar of development, strengthen the development system, provide countries of the Global South with more funding, technological and intellectual support in key areas such as poverty reduction, and urge developed countries to deliver on their development financing pledges. The U.N. should unequivocally oppose protectionism and unilateral actions, oppose securitizing economic and trade issues, and oppose sci-tech blockade, decoupling and cutting off supply chain. It is imperative to earnestly increase the representation and say of developing countries at the IMF and the World Bank. China supports the U.N. in strengthening dialogue with BRICS countries, the G20, the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for a universally beneficial and balanced global economic and financial governance system.
Fourth, reinvigorating the global governance platform for stronger execution capacity. Faced with emerging threats and challenges, no country can stay unaffected. A united response is the only way forward. Members should strengthen the sense of a community with a shared future for humanity, replace coercion with consultation, zero-sum with win-win, and small circles with greater unity. Members should advocate the common values of humanity, promote intercivilizational exchange and inclusiveness, and reject the notion of clash of civilizations and superiority. Members should stand firmly for multilateralism, give full play to the role of the U.N. as the core platform for global governance, and support establishing universally-accepted international rules and coordination mechanisms with the U.N. as the main channel. China supports the U.N. in playing a bigger role in the political settlement of hotspot issues, and supports exploring an integrated mediation model encompassing the U.N., regional organizations, stakeholders and specialized agencies. China calls for the prompt establishment of institutional guardrails for artificial intelligence, and the development of comprehensive solutions on the governance of outer space, the polar regions and cyberspace.
Fifth, reinvigorating the effectiveness of the U.N. system for stronger vitality. Member states should fulfill their financial obligations with real actions, support the U.N. in performing its mandate, and steadily contribute to the cause of the U.N., rather than willfully withdraw from treaties and organizations, still less establish alternatives. The U.N. also needs to reform to better adapt to changing times, be better equipped to deliver, and bring tangible and accessible results to people around the world. China supports early deliverance of the U.N. 80 Initiative, keeping to the right direction of reform, and boosting efficacy. The ownership of member states should be respected, the three pillars should advance in a balanced manner, and the aspirations of developing countries should be addressed to keep reforms on the right focus. Overlapping bodies and mandates in the U.N. system should be streamlined, resources better integrated, and a culture of efficiency promoted.
Wang Yi stressed that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the U.N. For 55 years, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has taken an active part in the U.N. cause. From this historic point onward, China will continue to uphold principles and follow the path of justice. Together with all countries, China will pursue greater unity under the banner of multilateralism, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
On the morning of the same day, Wang Yi met respectively with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Indonesia, and exchanged cordial greetings with other high-level representatives attending the meeting, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua and the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
Wang Yi on the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting Reaching Consensus on Reinvigorating and Strengthening the United Nations
May 27 (MFA) – On May 26, 2026 local time, after chairing the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to the media.
Wang Yi noted that the Security Council held a high-level meeting themed “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-Centered International System”. The meeting was proposed by China in its capacity as the rotating President of the Security Council. He pointed out that in recent times, the purposes of the U.N. Charter have been disregarded, the basic norms governing international relations have been undermined, and world peace and security are in jeopardy. At this critical juncture, the Security Council must step forward and shoulder its responsibilities.
Wang Yi said that China’s initiative received a positive response from all countries. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, foreign ministers from over 20 countries, and representatives of various states joined together to revisit the founding vision of the U.N. and engage in lively and in-depth discussions on defending, reinvigorating and strengthening the U.N. Important consensus was reached.
It was widely agreed that the U.N. Charter has not become outdated and remains the cornerstone of the international order. The centrality of the U.N. must be strengthened, not weakened. As none of us wants to see international relations slide back to the law of the jungle, we need to uphold the same system—the U.N.-centered international system—and observe the same set of rules—the basic norms governing international relations based on the Charter.
It was also widely agreed that for the U.N. to better fulfill its role, it must enhance its operational capacity. In particular, the Security Council needs to assume its primary responsibility for maintaining peace and play its due role in managing crises. U.N. bodies should also carry out timely reforms to more effectively respond to the common concerns of the international community.
It was widely agreed that the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable, and that the domination of international affairs by one or a few countries no longer corresponds to the trend of the times. We should firmly follow the path of multilateralism, do our utmost to safeguard unity, oppose division, seek cooperation, reject confrontation, and jointly inject much-needed stability and certainty into the world.
They also shared the view that current global governance has visibly fallen behind and needs to be reformed and improved in keeping with the times. It should reflect the aspirations of all countries in a more balanced way and ensure equal participation and shared benefits for all. In particular, it is important to increase the representation and voice of the Global South and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system.
Wang Yi stressed that President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative last year, which has received broad support from the international community. On May 28, China will hold a meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance in New York to build new consensus and inject fresh impetus into the reform and improvement of global governance. China will also host a forum on global governance in Xiong’an, China this autumn, and looks forward to working with friends from all countries to discuss the major issues of global governance. No matter how the international landscape may change, China will remain a staunch upholder of the U.N., a genuine supporter of multilateralism, and an active promoter of global governance.
Wang Yi on Enhancing the Authority and Role of the United Nations Security Council
May 27 (MFA) – On May 26, 2026 local time, after chairing the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-Centered International System”, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answered questions from the media on the spot.
When asked about doubts over the Security Council’s role in defusing conflicts and ending wars, and what suggestions China would offer for the Security Council to better perform its duties, Wang Yi noted that having stood the test of over 80 years of turbulent times, the Security Council remains the core of the global collective security mechanism and bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. However, he acknowledged that in recent years, the Security Council has at times failed to play its due role on major hotspot issues. Therefore, to reinvigorate the U.N., the Security Council must first be reinvigorated. To achieve this goal, he stressed the following: first, all Security Council members must regard the maintenance of peace as their shared responsibility, observe the Charter, uphold justice, refrain from pursuing narrow self-interest, and avoid bloc confrontation. Second, the representation and voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized states should be increased through reform, in particular by addressing the historical injustice faced by Africa. Third, the objectivity, fairness, and inclusiveness of Security Council proposals should be enhanced, and the five permanent members, in particular, should play an exemplary role in this regard. Fourth, the international community should jointly oppose all unilateral acts that bypass the Security Council, so that unilateral bullying finds no support and no legitimacy.
As a permanent member of the Security Council, China stands ready to work with all parties to enable the Security Council to better fulfill its duties and effectively respond to the expectations of the international community.
Wang Yi Attends the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance
May 29 (MFA) – On May 28, 2026 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Foreign ministers and representatives from more than 60 countries, including Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba and Zimbabwe, attended the meeting. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed briefed the participants.
In his keynote speech, Wang Yi said that the current international situation is marked by intertwined changes and turbulence. Countries are calling for fairness and justice, longing for solidarity and cooperation, and aspiring to peace and stability. Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative last September, emphasizing five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach, and real actions. In less than a year, the initiative has received support and response from nearly 160 countries and international organizations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance has been successively established in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with membership reaching over 60 countries. Guided by the spirit of equality and mutual respect, members have held extensive discussions and reached consensus on five key points including advancing greater democracy in international relations, upholding the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, narrowing the North-South divide, and addressing the most pressing challenges.
Wang Yi stressed that reforming and improving global governance is a historic mission for this generation. Such a task demands strong conviction and unremitting effort. China proposes the following nine reform directions:
First, promoting U.N. reform for greater efficiency. The purpose of reform is to enhance the United Nations, not weaken it. U.N. reform should be led by member states and carried out in a fair, inclusive and transparent manner. Member states should be urged to fulfill their financial obligations, and budget management and fiscal accountability should be strengthened. The Secretariat should be supported in streamlining operations and reducing burden, promoting a culture of efficiency, and effectively improving its responsiveness, service and delivery capacity.
Second, enhancing the authority and capacity of the Security Council. The voice of developing countries and the vast number of small and medium-sized countries should be strengthened, and the historical injustice faced by Africa should be addressed as a priority. The Security Council’s rules of procedure should be improved, equal consultation should be promoted, and the forced push of proposals or initiatives with obvious controversy should be avoided. The five permanent members should strengthen communication and coordination on major proposals, seek consensus as much as possible, and reduce confrontation. Unilateral actions and sanctions that bypass the Security Council should be opposed.
Third, adapting peacekeeping operations to the demands of the times. The three principles of peacekeeping should be upheld and improved, and peacekeeping operations should be better mandated and empowered. On the basis of ensuring the safety of peacekeeping personnel, the capacity of peacekeeping operations to build peace and maintain peace should be enhanced. The United Nations should be supported in strengthening coordination with regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so as to build a combined force for mediation on regional hotspot issues.
Fourth, building international consensus on accelerating development. Development should be pushed back to the center of the U.N. agenda, and the post-2030 development agenda should be planned ahead. Developed countries should fulfill their commitments on development financing. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be upheld, and a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system should be built. A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation should be led, so that the fruits of innovative development truly benefit the whole world.
Fifth, steering global human rights governance in the right direction. The one-sided approach of placing human rights above sovereignty should be abandoned, and it should be made clear that it is the people of each country who judge and improve their own human rights. The principles of fairness, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization should be advocated, and constructive dialogue and cooperation should be conducted on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of human rights should be opposed, and a fair, reasonable and inclusive global human rights governance system should be built together.
Sixth, deepening reform of the economic and financial system. The shareholding review of the World Bank should be accelerated, and a meaningful adjustment of IMF quota shares should be achieved as soon as possible. The dispute settlement mechanism should be restored to normal operation, and WTO rules should be updated to keep pace with the times. The foundational status of most-favored-nation treatment should be firmly upheld, and the different economic systems and development stages of members should be respected. The United Nations should be promoted to strengthen dialogue with emerging financial institutions such as the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Seventh, establishing rules for artificial intelligence (AI) governance. A people-centered and AI-for-good approach should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in playing its role as the main channel. The digital divide should be prevented from widening, and guardrails should be set for military applications and governance of AI. China has proposed the establishment of a World AI Cooperation Organization and launched and implemented the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All. In July this year, China will host the World AI Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai.
Eighth, strengthening governance in emerging domains such as cyberspace and outer space. The four principles of respecting cyber sovereignty, maintaining peace and security, promoting open cooperation and building good order should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in advancing global cyberspace and digital governance. Outer space should be used for peaceful purposes, any arms race and weaponization of outer space should be opposed, and the common rights of all countries to the peaceful use of outer space should be safeguarded.
Ninth, promoting exchanges among civilizations and achieving inclusive mutual learning. The partners of Global Civilizations Dialogue should be actively expanded, and the wisdom to solve global challenges should be drawn through dialogue among civilizations, so as to build a communication and dialogue platform that transcends geopolitical games, bloc confrontation and ideological prejudice.
Wang Yi said that the Group of Friends of Global Governance has served as a stabilizing factor and a force for justice in a turbulent world, and this mechanism should be further leveraged and strengthened. China will continue to uphold the banner of multilateralism and contribute to global governance through its own governance experience. This autumn, China will host the Xiong’an Global Governance Forum. Wang Yi expressed the hope that in Xiong’an New Area, this “city of the future”, all parties can come together to discuss plans for reforming and improving global governance and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Representatives from all participating countries spoke enthusiastically, highly praising and supporting the Global Governance Initiative. They said the initiative is consistent with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, aiming to defend and practice multilateralism and strengthen the central role of the United Nations in international affairs. The nine directions proposed by China are in line with and share the same goals as the reform initiative for the U.N.’s 80th anniversary. They look forward to in-depth discussions under the framework of the Group of Friends of Global Governance around the nine reform directions, building broader consensus, forming actionable measures, strengthening solidarity and cooperation, and jointly promoting a more just and reasonable global governance system.
The meeting also issued a joint communiqué.
During his stay in New York, Wang Yi also met separately with the foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Colombia, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Serbia, Cambodia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Cuba, Portugal, Pakistan, Uruguay and Panama, and held a discussion with U.S. strategic and business representatives.
Wang Yi on Consensus of the Group of Friends of Global Governance on Five Key Points
May 29 (MFA) – On May 28, 2026 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He stated that since the group’s establishment, all members have carried out extensive discussions on reforming and improving global governance, and reached the following consensus on five key points:
First, all members support the democratization of international relations. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have the right to choose their own social systems and development paths, and to participate, decide and benefit equally in global governance.
Second, all members call for upholding the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, ensuring the equal application of international law and international rules, and opposing double standards and coercion.
Third, all members support safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, practicing multilateralism, strengthening multilateral mechanisms, and opposing unilateralism and power politics.
Fourth, all members support reforming and improving global governance and narrowing the North-South divide to ensure that all countries share the benefits of development and that no country is left behind.
Fifth, all members call for addressing the most pressing challenges facing the international community through concrete actions and practical results to ensure global governance meets the needs of the times and the people.
Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi at the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-Centered International System”
May 27 (MFA) – Upholding the U.N. Charter, Reinvigorating the Role of the U.N., and Striving Toward the Lofty Goal of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
At the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting
“Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-Centered International System”
New York, May 26, 2026
Your Excellency Secretary General António Guterres,
Colleagues,
I thank Secretary General Guterres for attending the meeting and for his briefing.
We are gathered here at a time when the international situation is undergoing the most complex and profound changes since the end of World War II. The dark clouds of war keep gathering and the law of the jungle is resurging. The giant ship of human civilization is sailing into dangerous waters, and world peace and development is at a crossroads.
Just as this mural in the Security Council chamber depicts, the world was reborn from the ashes of World War II, and history keeps moving forward amid twists and turns. The challenges confronting us are testing the international community’s commitment to safeguarding peace, its resolve to stand up for justice, and its courage to take bold reforms. We must stand united and act together to defend, revitalize and strengthen the U.N.
First, we need to reinvigorate the U.N. Charter for stronger leadership. The Charter has established the U.N.-centered international system, the norms governing state-to-state relations, and the foundation for international rule of law. It is the biggest common denominator of the postwar international community. The root cause of the chaos in today’s world is not that the Charter’s spirit is outdated, but that the international order and the basic norms governing international relations, both set out in the Charter, are not being effectively upheld and observed.
The international community should return to the founding vision of the Charter, carry forward its spirit and fulfill the obligations under it. We must uphold sovereign equality, oppose interference in internal affairs; uphold the peaceful settlement of disputes, oppose the use of force; uphold the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose glorifying the history of aggression. All member states should align their policies with the spirit of the Charter and jointly observe and act on the Charter. Major countries, in particular, have the responsibility to lead by example in following the rule of law and the right path, and should not practice double standards, exceptionalism or selective application.
Second, we need to reinvigorate the authority of the Security Council for greater ability to act. The Security Council is the core of the international collective security mechanism, and is the most authoritative and legitimate body in the multilateral security system. The more volatile the world, the greater the leadership required of the Security Council to effectively manage conflicts and their spillovers.
What comes with Security Council membership is not privileges, but responsibilities. Members should rise above the narrow national interests and use international public goods responsibly. The Security Council needs to further improve its Rules of Procedure to ensure proposals are objective, impartial and inclusive, and avoid forcing through contentious proposals or initiatives. The five permanent members should increase communication and coordination on major proposals, seek maximum commonality and reduce contention and confrontation, and take effective actions to uphold the solidarity and credibility of the Council. The international community should also conscientiously defend the Council’s authority. Any unilateral military action that circumvents the Council’s mandate is unacceptable, and any unilateral sanction that exceeds the Council’s resolutions lacks legitimacy.
U.N. peacekeeping operations are created and carried out for peace. The value and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations should be assessed, and necessary reforms should be undertaken to transform and upgrade them in order to truly safeguard peace.
Third, we need to reinvigorate global development cooperation for stronger mobilization. Development, as the key to all problems, must remain at the center of the international agenda. As the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is woefully behind schedule, the U.N. needs to vigorously coordinate global actions and fully mobilize global resources. It is important to solidify the pillar of development, strengthen the development system, provide countries of the Global South with more funding, technological and intellectual support in key areas such as poverty reduction, and urge developed countries to deliver on their development financing pledges.
The U.N. should unequivocally oppose protectionism and unilateral actions, oppose securitizing economic and trade issues, and oppose sci-tech blockade, decoupling and cutting off supply chain. It is imperative to earnestly increase the representation and say of developing countries at the IMF and the World Bank. China supports the U.N. in strengthening dialogue with BRICS countries, the G20, the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for a universally beneficial and balanced global economic and financial governance system.
Fourth, we need to reinvigorate the global governance platform for stronger execution capacity. Faced with emerging threats and challenges, no country can stay unaffected. A united response is the only way forward. We should strengthen the sense of a community with a shared future for humanity, replace coercion with consultation, zero-sum with win-win, and small circles with greater unity. We should advocate the common values of humanity, promote intercivilizational exchange and inclusiveness, and reject the notion of clash of civilizations and superiority. We should stand firmly for multilateralism, give full play to the role of the U.N. as the core platform for global governance, and support establishing universally-accepted international rules and coordination mechanisms with the U.N. as the main channel.
China supports the U.N. in playing a bigger role in the political settlement of hotspot issues, and supports exploring an integrated mediation model encompassing the U.N., regional organizations, stakeholders and specialized agencies. China calls for expediting climate actions, and establishing regular audit and accountability mechanisms for financial and technology assistance commitments. As AI brings with it moral and security risks, we need the prompt establishment of institutional guardrails with the U.N. at the center. Comprehensive solutions on the governance of outer space, the polar regions and cyberspace should be developed, to prevent new frontiers from becoming lawless domains of zero-sum competition.
Fifth, we need to reinvigorate the effectiveness of the U.N. system for stronger vitality. The U.N. is at the center of the postwar international system. Its role should only be enhanced, not weakened, and its standing upheld, not replaced. Member states should fulfill their financial obligations with real actions, support the U.N. in performing its mandate, and steadily contribute to the cause of the U.N., rather than willfully withdraw from treaties and organizations, still less establish alternatives.
Given the new situation and challenges, the U.N. also needs to reform to better adapt to changing times, be better equipped to deliver, and bring tangible and accessible results to people around the world. China supports early deliverance of the U.N. 80 Initiative, keeping to the right direction of reform, and boosting efficacy. The ownership of member states should be respected, the three pillars should advance in a balanced manner, and the aspirations of developing countries should be addressed to keep reforms on the right focus. Overlapping bodies and mandates in the U.N. system should be streamlined, resources better integrated, and a culture of efficiency promoted.
Mr. Secretary General,
Colleagues,
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the U.N. For 55 years, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has taken an active part in the U.N. cause.
Amid international turbulence and transformation, China holds its banner high. President Xi Jinping put forward the important vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives, which quickly gained widespread international support. Amid frequent global conflicts, China promotes peace talks. We practice the Chinese way of resolving hotspot issues, including initiating the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis at the U.N. platform, constantly contributing our wisdom and efforts to maintaining world peace. Amid global development impasse, China empowers and enhances. The Global Development Initiative has mobilized over US$23 billion of funds, supported over 1,800 cooperation projects, delivered over 10,000 capacity building programs for developing countries, and trained over 200,000 professionals in different fields, giving a strong boost to the development and vitalization of the Global South. Amid major public crises, China races to help. In 2015, China provided full support for three West African countries in fighting Ebola. We are now ready to assist, to the best of our ability, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in the recent Ebola outbreak. As we speak, Chinese medical teams are on the ground fighting the disease shoulder to shoulder with African brothers. When multilateralism runs into headwinds, China steps up to its responsibility. We have earnestly fulfilled our financial obligations as the second largest contributor to the U.N. budget, set up and made good use of the China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and initiated the International Organization for Mediation and the World Data Organization. We are preparing for the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, and actively bidding to host the BBNJ Secretariat. In doing so, we are building pillars for multilateralism through concrete actions.
A country’s greatness lies in serving the greater good. This year marks the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. From this historic point onward, China will continue to uphold principles and follow the path of justice. Together with all countries, we will pursue greater unity under the banner of multilateralism, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Thank you.
Keynote Speech by H.E. Wang Yi at the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance
May 29 (MFA) – Reform and Improve Global Governance for a Better Future
Keynote Speech by H.E. Wang Yi
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and
Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China
At the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance
New York, May 28, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for participating in the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance.
We are meeting against an international landscape that is both fluid and turbulent. Countries around the world are calling for fairness and justice, yearning for solidarity and cooperation, and longing for peace and stability. Recognizing this, President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) last September. The GGI is underpinned by five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach, and real action. In less than a year, the GGI has been welcomed and supported by nearly 160 countries and international organizations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance has been established in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, with membership now exceeding 60 countries. In the spirit of equality and respect, extensive discussions have been held on reforming and improving global governance, and the following five points have been agreed.
First, we all agree on promoting greater democracy in international relations. We believe that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have the right to independently choose their social system and development path, and to participate equally, make decisions equally, and benefit equally in the process of global governance.
Second, we all agree on upholding the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. We must ensure the equal and uniform application of international law and international rules, and oppose double standards and the imposition of one’s will on others.
Third, we all agree on safeguarding the centrality of the U.N. We must practice multilateralism, strengthen multilateral institutions, and reject unilateralism and power politics.
Fourth, we all agree on improving global governance through reform. We must narrow the North-South divide, and ensure that all people share in the fruits of development, with no country left behind.
Fifth, we all agree on resolving the practical issues that matter most to the international community. We must deliver tangible outcomes through concrete actions, and fashion a global governance that stands the test of time and the judgment of the people.
Dear Colleagues,
Reforming and improving global governance is the mission history has placed on our generation. We must keep faith, and make unremitting efforts in this direction. Building on existing consensus, the Chinese side would like to propose the following nine reform priorities for further discussion and consideration:
First, advancing reform to improve the efficiency of the U.N. Though not perfect, the U.N. remains the most authoritative platform for global governance. We should bear in mind that the purpose of reform is to strengthen the U.N., not weaken it. The process should be driven by the Member States and reform should be conducted in a fair, inclusive, and transparent manner. The Member States must fulfill their financial obligations. U.N. budget management and financial accountability must be strengthened. Efforts to streamline the Secretariat must be supported, and unnecessary procedures, documents and meetings should be reduced, so as to direct more resources to addressing the major issues, promote a culture of efficiency, and truly enhance responsiveness, service delivery, and implementation capacity.
Second, enhancing the authority and capability of the Security Council. We should strengthen the voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized countries, and prioritize redressing the historical injustice suffered by Africa. We should improve the Security Council’s Rules of Procedure, encourage equal-footed consultation, forge extensive consensus, and avoid forcing through contentious proposals or initiatives. The P5 should improve communication and coordination on major proposals, strive to seek consensus, and reduce contention and confrontation. Unilateral actions and sanctions that bypass the Security Council must be opposed.
Third, adapting peacekeeping missions to the changing times. We should uphold and improve the three principles of peacekeeping, and better mandate and empower peacekeeping missions. We should both ensure the safety of peacekeepers, and enhance their capacity to build and maintain peace. We should support closer coordination between the U.N. and regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so as to create greater synergy in mediating regional issues.
Fourth, building international consensus on accelerating development. Development is the master key to all challenges. We must restore development to the heart of the U.N.’s agenda, and build balanced, inclusive, and win-win development partnerships. With an eye on next year’s Sustainable Development Summit, the U.N. should start planning for the post-2030 development agenda. The mandate mechanisms and resource commitments for development should be strengthened, and developed countries should deliver on their financing pledges. The international community needs to explore innovative ways to expand financing channels, so as to help address unbalanced and insufficient development. In tackling climate change, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld, and a fair, reasonable, and win-win global climate governance system be put in place. We should support the work of the U.N. Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, and deepen cooperation on critical mineral partnerships. We must steer the ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation, and see that the gains of innovation are shared by all.
Fifth, recalibrating the direction of international human rights governance. We must reject the misguided notion of “human rights above sovereignty,” and make it clear that it is up to the people of each country to assess and improve their own human rights situation. We advocate the principles of fairness, objectivity, nonselectivity, and nonpoliticization of human rights, and call for constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. We should oppose imposing one’s own model or preferences on others, and reject the politicization, instrumentalization, and weaponization of human rights. Together, we should work toward a global human rights governance system that is just, equitable, and inclusive.
Sixth, deepening reform of the economic and financial governance system. We should move forward with the shareholding review of the World Bank expeditiously and realize a meaningful quota realignment of the IMF as soon as possible, so as to better reflect great transformation of the global economic landscape. It is essential to restore the normal functioning of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism and update WTO rules in light of new realities. The foundational role of the most-favored-nation treatment must be upheld, and the different economic systems and development stages of WTO members must be respected. We should promote more dialogue between the U.N. and newly established financial institutions such as the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, so that the voices and needs of the Global South are better heard.
Seventh, establishing rules for artificial intelligence governance. We should uphold a people-centered approach and the principle of AI for good, support the U.N. as the main channel, prevent the widening of the digital divide, and set clear guardrails for the military use and governance of AI. China has initiated the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, and is implementing its AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All. This July, China will host the 2026 World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. Your participation would be most welcome.
Eighth, strengthening governance in new frontiers such as cyberspace and outer space. We stand by the four principles of respecting cyber sovereignty, maintaining peace and security, promoting openness and cooperation, and building a well-ordered environment. We support the U.N. in advancing global cyberspace and digital governance. We should always use outer space for peaceful purposes, oppose an arms race in and the weaponization of outer space, and safeguard the shared rights and interests of all countries in the peaceful use of outer space.
Ninth, promoting intercivilizational exchanges, inclusivity, and mutual learning. We should actively expand global partnerships for intercivilizational dialogue. The International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations on June 10 offers a good opportunity for us all to draw inspiration from dialogue in order to tackle various global challenges. This will help us build a communication and dialogue platform that rises above geopolitical competition, bloc confrontation, and ideological prejudices, while overcoming misunderstandings and limited interactions.
Dear Colleagues,
I have outlined some of China’s ideas and suggestions for reforming global governance. The Group of Friends of Global Governance is a force for stability and justice in a turbulent world. We need to make good use of this platform and further strengthen it. China is ready to leverage the China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, among others, to develop more cooperation projects on global governance, strengthen capacity building for members of the Group of Friends, and help more countries participate in global governance.
We also call for giving priority to increasing the weight of Global South countries in global governance reform, including encouraging more U.N. agencies and international organizations to be headquartered in developing countries, and appointing more outstanding talent from developing countries to leadership positions in international organizations.
This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development and the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the PRC’s lawful seat in the U.N. China will continue to champion multilateralism, and contribute to global governance through China’s own efforts. China will host the Xiong’an Global Governance Forum this fall. We look forward to welcoming all parties to the Xiong’an New Area, a city of the future, to develop ideas for reforming and improving global governance, and help build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Thank you.
