At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Foreign Minister of the DPRK Choe Son Hui will visit China from September 27 to 30.

CCTV: At the general debate of the 80th UNGA session that opened this week, leaders of most countries in their speeches supported the UN’s central role, but we also heard some cacophony coming from certain countries. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: As the most universal, representative and authoritative international inter-governmental organization in the world, the UN has played an irreplaceable role in upholding world peace and security, and advancing socioeconomic development over the past 80 years. At the general debate of the 80th UNGA session, the vast majority of countries spoke up for defending multilateralism and supporting the role of the UN, which represents the world’s prevailing consensus and shared aspiration.

The world lacks order not because the UN is outdated, but exactly because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are being breached and distorted. The major crises and challenges that have emerged in recent years keep reminding us that to address the issues of today, the role of the UN must be strengthened, not undermined, and its stature must be upheld, not replaced. For the UN to play its role, the key lies in solidarity and cooperation among all member states, major countries in particular, who should put the common interest of the international community first, observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, make objective and just judgements based on international law and basic norms governing international relations and play a positive and constructive role.

As a founding member of the UN and permanent member of the UN Security Council, China fully participates in the UN’s work in various fields, undertakes international obligations willingly and firmly defends multilateralism. Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), and elaborated on the principles, method and path to follow for the reform and improvement of global governance. The core tenets of the GGI are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The initiative reaffirms the need for safeguarding the international system with the UN as its core. It is a vote of confidence in the UN and in multilateralism.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the UN, China stands ready to continue working with all parties to stay committed to the founding mission of the UN, revitalize the organization’s authority and vitality under new circumstances and make it an important platform for countries to enhance dialogue and cooperation, coordinate joint actions and respond to global challenges.

CCTV: On September 24, New York time, President Xi Jinping delivered video remarks at the United Nations Climate Summit and announced China’s new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Could you share more details on that?

Guo Jiakun: President Xi Jinping delivered video remarks at the United Nations Climate Summit. He called on all parties to firm up confidence, live up to responsibilities, and deepen cooperation, and announced China’s new NDCs, which shows China’s commitment to multilateralism and support to the UN. This is the first time that China put forward an absolute emissions reduction target, which covers economy-wide emissions from all greenhouse gases.

China’s resolve and action to tackle climate change is rock-solid. China is a top country in terms of the will, effort and effectiveness of honoring our emission reduction pledge. China will continue to follow the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and implement the NDCs with utmost efforts. As President Xi Jinping stressed, meeting these targets requires both painstaking efforts by China itself and a supportive and open international environment. China stands ready to work with all parties to jointly promote international cooperation on climate response, work for the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and assist the global green and low-carbon transition.

Reuters: Lin Chia-lung is in New York having events on the sidelines of the general debate of the UN General Assembly. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: We noted relevant media reports. By letting Lin Chia-lung visit New York during the UNGA session, the U.S. provides a public stage for the provocation of “Taiwan independence” separatists, which amounts to gross interference in China’s internal affairs and serious violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It sends a gravely wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it.

The DPP authorities sent Lin Chia-lung to New York during the UNGA session to interact with so-called “diplomatic allies” and certain U.S. politicians, and make opportunist attempts wherever possible with a political scheme light as day to solicit foreign support for “Taiwan independence,” including from the U.S. We would like to make it clear to the DPP authorities and those bent on separatism that no good will come of their unjust cause and any provocation aimed at “Taiwan independence” will inevitably backfire.

Our message to the very few countries still maintaining so-called “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan: do not be manipulated and used again and again by “Taiwan independence” forces. It is time to see that the one-China principle is where the arc of history bends and public opinion trends. Tying themselves to the “Taiwan independence” bandwagon will not get them anywhere.

There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable. Nothing will stop China from complete reunification.

AFP: The ROK said today that the DPRK possesses up to two tonnes of highly enriched uranium, enough to build a large number of nuclear weapons. As the DPRK’s neighbor, what’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: To keep the Korean Peninsula peaceful and stable and promote the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue is in the interest of all parties. We hope relevant parties will face squarely the root cause and crux of the issue, stick to the goal of political settlement, and make an effort to deescalate the situation and uphold regional peace. 

AFP: The celebrated Chinese architect Yu Kongjian lost his life yesterday in a plane crash in Brazil. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: We extend deep condolences over the passing of Professor Yu Kongjian. Our heart goes out to his family. China’s Embassy in Brazil will continue to assist in handling relevant matters.