On September 25, 2018 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Wang Yi expressed that the Chinese government supports the UN in playing an active role in international affairs. At present, unilateralism is posing severe challenges to the existing international order and international system. The international community widely hopes the current session of the UN General Assembly will send a powerful voice to uphold multilateralism, safeguard the UN Charter, and uphold the norms governing international relations. The theme of the General Debate of the current session of the UN General Assembly "Making the United Nations Relevant to All People" accords with the requirements of the current circumstances. It is believed that under Mme. Chairperson's leadership, the current session of the UN General Assembly will surely, in line with the UN member states' wishes, push the UN to play a greater role in addressing global challenges and maintaining the multilateralism process.

Wang Yi noted that China, the largest developing country, has made enormous contributions to completing the Millennium Development Goals of the UN and is now making new efforts in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mme. Chairperson, a representative from a developing country assuming the President of the UN General Assembly, puts emphasis on promoting developing countries' benefits and South-South cooperation, which we completely understand and support.

Maria Fernanda Espinosa expressed that my successful visit to China last month is very conducive to well exercising my responsibilities as the President of the UN General Assembly. I appreciate the precious support of the Chinese government to the work of the UN General Assembly. I agree that given the current circumstances, the UN more than ever needs to promote multilateralism and maintain a rules-based international system. During the current session of the UN General Assembly, I myself and the bureau of the UN General Assembly will keep close communication with the Chinese side regarding this. I thank the Chinese side for supporting the major working fields of the current session of the UN General Assembly that I made. I also want to congratulate China on its huge accomplishments in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in poverty reduction, and praise China's leading role in such areas as propelling technology development and low-carbon development. It is hoped that the Chinese side will continue to play an important role in promoting sustainable development.