Mr. Chair,
Mme. Executive Secretary,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chinese government, I wish to congratulate ESCAP on the opening of its 77th session. I thank the government of Thailand and ESCAP for the thoughtful arrangements.

As we speak, COVID-19 is still spreading across the world and taking its toll on the Asia-Pacific region. We need to take effective steps in solidarity to steadily achieve economic recovery and sustainable development.

First, practice multilateralism. Multilateral cooperation is the right choice to address global challenges. We need to uphold science and strictly keep in place prevention and control measures, and ensure vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries, with a view to building a global community of health for all. China supports WHO's lead role in the global response to COVID-19. China takes concrete actions to honor its solemn commitment of making its vaccines a global public good. We are working on providing vaccines to 80 developing countries with urgent needs, exporting vaccines to more than 40 countries, and donating vaccines to UN peacekeepers. We have announced our decision to supply 10 million doses of vaccines to WHO's COVAX facility.

Second, build an open economy. We need to stay committed to regional economic integration, and safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO as its core. We need to effectively implement the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement for a higher level of trade liberalization and facilitation. China is among the first to ratify the RCEP and will work with other participants for the agreement to take effect at an early date. We will positively consider joining the CPTPP, to provide fresh impetus for the Asia-Pacific regional economic integration.

Third, enhance connectivity. We need to advance connectivity cooperation under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and implement the Asian Highway Network and other major connectivity programs. China will continue to seek greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and ESCAP to help strengthen connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Fourth, promote innovative, inclusive and green development. We need to facilitate the dissemination and application of digital technology, speed up digital infrastructure construction, and enable transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. China has proposed the Global Initiative on Data Security. We are ready to work with all parties to foster an open, fair and non-discriminatory doing-digital-business environment for a community with a shared future in cyberspace. We need to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at a faster pace, and fully deliver on the Paris Agreement on climate change. China attaches great importance to addressing climate change, and strives to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

Mr. Chair,

This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC has rallied and led the Chinese people in making remarkable development achievements. By the end of 2020, China attained a complete victory in the fight against poverty. We have achieved the SDG on poverty reduction ten years ahead of schedule, contributing significantly to the global endeavor to fight poverty and to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As China enters a new development stage, we will follow the new development philosophy, foster a new development paradigm, and promote reform and opening-up with greater intensity, to provide more development dividends for the whole world.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat at the United Nations. China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law. China will continue to support ESCAP in fully bringing out its role, and make financial contributions to the China-ESCAP Cooperation Program and the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization. China will work with other parties to promote development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thank you.