On September 23, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Foreign Minister of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid via video link.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. In the past 50 years, China has always upheld and practiced true multilateralism, adhered to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguarded the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. China will move forward in tandem with all progressive forces around the world, and we will always vote for developing countries and international justice and righteousness. China's development and rejuvenation is a boon for world peace and the developing world, and will make new contributions to the development and progress of mankind.

Wang Yi stressed that President Xi Jinping attended and addressed the UNGA general debate and sent a clear signal of supporting the central role of the United Nations in international affairs. President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed a Global Development Initiative and called for all countries to focus on development and make concerted efforts to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and hopes that all parties will reach international consensus and take common actions.

Wang Yi said that right now, COVID-19 is still raging in the world, and the international order is undergoing profound and complex changes. As a UN organ with the broadest representation based on the UN Charter, the General Assembly carries the expectations of all member states, especially small and medium-sized countries. He hopes that the new session of the General Assembly will play a more active and greater role in leading the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and make more practical efforts to bring benefits to developing countries, especially small and medium-sized ones.

First, it should play a greater role in promoting international cooperation on COVID-19 response and equitable distribution of vaccines. It should stick to the right direction of solidarity against the pandemic and oppose any attempt to politicize and stigmatize the pandemic and origins tracing.

Second, it should have a strong voice on such issues as combating climate change and protecting biodiversity. It should effectively implement the Paris Agreement, make practical cooperation, adhere to the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and promote the building of a community of life for man and Nature.

Third, it should ensure synergy in sustainable development, give prominence to poverty reduction, and put development at the center of the global macro policy agenda. China hopes that more countries will support and join the Global Development Initiative, injecting new impetus into implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Abdulla Shahid warmly congratulated on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 50th anniversary of China's restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations. He highly appreciated China for firmly supporting the central role of the United Nations and upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, spoke highly of China's great contribution to maintaining world peace and upholding multilateralism, and thanked China for supporting the work of the General Assembly. He said that President Xi Jinping's important speech at the UNGA general debate has sent a positive signal on issues such as development and climate change, and demonstrated China's global leadership and its support for the causes of the United Nations. He hopes to work closely with China to promote the priority areas of this session of the General Assembly and wishes the Beijing Olympic Winter Games a great success.