Encyclopedia of Contemporary World History
81st UN General Assembly: China’s Position on Peace, Development and Civilization
On 26 September 2026, at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, presented China’s position on the changing international order, war and peace, development, technology, civilizational relations and the future of the United Nations. The speech was delivered in a year that China marked as the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the People’s Republic of China’s representation in the United Nations.
Han Zheng opened with a description of the contemporary international situation as one of “intertwined changes and turbulence”, characterized by prolonged geopolitical conflicts, widening development gaps and an increasing number of global challenges. China situated its response within the political framework developed under Xi Jinping since the 76th General Assembly in 2021: the Global Development Initiative, followed by the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. Together, these initiatives were presented as components of China’s concept of building a “community with a shared future for humanity.”
The first proposition was the preservation of the post-1945 international order and the authority of the United Nations Charter. China called for an international security system based on common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, rather than bloc confrontation or a renewed Cold War mentality. Differences between states, according to Han Zheng, should be handled through dialogue and consultation. He specifically opposed unilateral military action that violates the UN Charter or bypasses the authorization of the UN Security Council. Major powers, he stated, have particular responsibilities in maintaining international peace and should demonstrate those responsibilities through adherence to international law.
This principle was applied to several major conflicts. Regarding the Middle East, China stated that the sovereignty and security of countries in the region, including the Gulf states, should be respected. The speech connected regional stability with the uninterrupted operation of international industrial and supply chains and the protection of global trade. On the Palestinian question, China called for advancing governance of the West Bank and reconstruction of Gaza according to the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine”, while seeking an early return to the two-State solution. On the Ukraine crisis, Han Zheng referred to four points previously advanced by Xi Jinping as the fundamental guidance for China’s continuing efforts toward a political settlement. On Cuba, China called upon the relevant country to end threats of force and to lift the blockade and sanctions imposed on Cuba.
The second major proposition was development. China argued that development must remain at the centre of the international agenda and proposed a global development partnership based upon unity, equality, openness and cooperation. Particular attention was assigned to poverty reduction, food security and energy transition, together with increased financial and material support for countries of the Global South. Developed countries, Han Zheng said, should honour their commitments concerning development financing and climate financing. China also called for international consultations over the post-2030 global development agenda, indicating that Beijing regards development policy as part of the restructuring of the wider international system rather than merely as an economic question.
The speech then moved directly into the question of economic globalization. China rejected protectionism, trade barriers, economic decoupling and the disruption of international supply chains. Han Zheng’s argument was that modern economies have become deeply interconnected and that attempts to dismantle those connections affect multiple countries simultaneously. China therefore reaffirmed the WTO-centred, rules-based multilateral trading system and called for an open world economy capable of generating new sources of growth. The phrase “protectionism produces no winners” expressed the central position of this section.
Artificial intelligence was placed within the same development framework. China described the world as entering a new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, with AI as one of its principal forces. The Chinese position was that AI should be developed through a people-centred approach, used “for the positive and for good,” while international cooperation should reduce the digital divide and prevent technological progress from becoming concentrated among a limited number of states or societies.
The third proposition concerned civilizations. Han Zheng argued that human civilization has developed through diversity and that different civilizations should not be approached through superiority, condescension or ideological prejudice. China called instead for mutual understanding, mutual respect, solidarity and harmonious coexistence. The United Nations, in this conception, has a role beyond diplomacy and security: it can function as a platform for people-to-people exchanges and civilizational dialogue. The speech also defended the right of peoples of different countries to determine their own development paths and social systems, while encouraging the exchange of governance experience.
The fourth proposition was multilateralism and international justice. China stated that all countries, regardless of size, are equal members of the international community and that world affairs should be handled through consultation and the rule of law. The United Nations therefore remains central to China’s conception of global governance. Beijing supported UN reform, but argued that reform should improve the organization’s ability to respond to global problems rather than merely reduce its budgets and mandates. Particular importance was attached to increasing the representation and voice of the Global South in international institutions.
The historical portion of the address centred on 25 October 1971, when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 at its 26th session. Han Zheng recalled the resolution as the instrument through which the General Assembly restored all the rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognized the representatives of the government of the PRC as the representatives of China at the UN. In 2026, Beijing treated the 55th anniversary of that event as an important marker of China’s relationship with the multilateral system.
Han Zheng subsequently described China through three historical functions: a peace force, a development force and a force for reform of global governance. He cited China’s participation in UN peacekeeping, including its position as the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the Security Council. He also referred to China’s role in nuclear-risk reduction, economic growth and development cooperation. According to the figures presented in the speech, China has contributed around 30 percent of global economic growth over many years, cooperated with more than three-fourths of the world’s countries through the Belt and Road framework, mobilized more than US$23 billion and implemented more than 2,000 projects under the Global Development Initiative.
The speech further referred to China’s policy of granting zero-tariff treatment to all African countries and least-developed countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, presenting this as an instrument for strengthening the development capacity of the Global South. China also announced that it would host the Global Governance Forum in Xiong’an New Area in October 2026, inviting international participation in discussions concerning the future of global governance.
The concluding position returned to the central vocabulary of the address: peace, development, fairness, justice and multilateralism. Han Zheng stated that China’s basic commitments would remain unchanged despite changes in international dynamics. The address consequently presented the Chinese conception of the contemporary world order as one in which the United Nations remains the principal multilateral institution, international disputes should be addressed through political and legal mechanisms, economic development should remain open and interconnected, civilizations should coexist without ideological hierarchy, and the Global South should acquire a greater voice in international governance. The final objective was again expressed through China’s established formulation of building a “community with a shared future for humanity.”
Original Transcript of the China UNGA 81 Speech 2026
Meeting/Event: China – General Debate, 81st Session
Date: 26 September 2026
China
His Excellency
Han Zheng
Vice President
26 September 2026
Mr. President, colleagues, the world is witnessing intertwined changes and turbulence, protracted geopolitical conflicts, widening development gaps, and a growing number of global challenges.
Five years ago, at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, President XI Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative.
Since then, he has proposed the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.
These initiatives provide strategic guidance for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
At a time when countries of the world find their future so closely linked, more and more of them want to join hands to shoulder the historic mission of addressing difficulties and challenges and advancing the well-being of all humanity.
With this in mind, I propose that we take the following four steps.
First, we should safeguard the postwar international order and foster lasting peace based on common security.
The world wants peace not war.
The international system centered on the UN and.
The international order, underpinned by international law that emerged after World War Two must be upheld.
We should turn into action.
The vision of common, comprehensive cooperative and sustainable security and reject the Cold War mindset and block confrontation.
We should settle differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and oppose unilateral military actions that violate the UN charter and circumvent Security Council authorization.
Major countries shoulder special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security, and they should take the lead in complying with the rules, upholding the rule of law and doing what’s right.
China holds that the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East, including the Gulf should be respected.
International industrial and supply chains should be kept stable and unimpeded, and global trade should be safeguarded.
China calls for advancing the governance of the West Bank and the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza, in accordance with the principle of the Palestinians governing Palestine.
It also calls for bringing the Palestinian question back onto the right track of the two state solution at an early date.
On Ukraine, President XI Jinping has put forward four points on what must be done, which are the fundamental guidance for China in playing a continued constructive role in its own way for achieving a political settlement of the crisis.
China urges the relevant country to immediately stop using threat of force against Cuba, and immediately and completely lift the blockade and sanctions against Cuba.
Second, we should address the global development predicament and promote prosperity for all through openness and cooperation.
We should keep development at the center of the international agenda and jointly forge a global development partnership based on unity and equality, and that is balanced and inclusive.
It is important to give priority to key areas including poverty reduction, food security and energy transition.
Step up resource input and increase support for countries in the global South.
Developed countries should honor their commitment to development, financing and climate financing.
The international community should also build consensus and pull strength to formulate the post 2030 global development agenda.
Facing a new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, especially the dynamic development of artificial intelligence.
We should take a people centered approach and develop AI for the positive and for good, narrow the digital divide and promote development that is universally beneficial.
Both history and reality prove that countries can hardly achieve development without an open and cooperative international environment.
Protectionism produces no winners.
Building walls, erecting barriers.
Decoupling and cutting off supply chains disrupt global industrial and supply chains, and harm the interests of all parties.
We must firmly safeguard the WTO centered, rules based multilateral trading system, build an open world economy, jointly foster and strengthen new growth drivers, and see that economic globalization is inclusive and delivers benefits to all.
Third, we should advance exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and rebuild unity and mutual trust through communication and dialogue.
Diversity has created splendor in the world.
Condescension and the self-centered mindset have no place in the interactions among different cultures promoting mutual trust, mutual respect, solidarity, and harmonious coexistence is the right approach to take.
We need to use the UN platform to boost international people to people exchanges, and take the celebration of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations as an occasion to promote mutual understanding and amity among all peoples and the common development of diverse civilizations.
We should reject ideological prejudice and respect the development path and social systems decided on independently by the people of all countries.
We should deepen the sharing of governance practices and jointly explore ways to tackle challenges facing our times.
Fourth, we should stay committed to multilateralism and take steps to safeguard fairness and justice.
Multilateralism is a choice made by humanity.
After going through scourges and fairness and justice are the joint pursuit of the people of all countries.
China holds that all countries, big or small, are equal members of the international community, and that world affairs should be handled by all through consultation and rule of law.
Fairness and justice in international affairs should be jointly upheld.
Countries should join forces and act together to safeguard the UN and make it stronger.
China supports the UN in reforming and improving itself.
It should advance the unity initiative and enhance the performance of its bodies, rather than merely cut its budgets and mandates.
It should effectively address global challenges, including climate change and public health security.
Improve.
And increase the representation of voice of the global South.
China pays high tribute to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will complete his term soon.
China supports the election in accordance with the UN charter of a new Secretary-General who honors.
The UN Charter has exceptional capability, upholds integrity and fairness, and demonstrates courage and dedication.
Mr. President, colleagues, on October 25th, 1971, right here in this August hall, the General Assembly adopted resolution 2758 at its 26th session with an overwhelming majority by which Unga decided to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China in the UN and recognize the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN.
This is of profound and far-reaching significance for both China and the world.
Over the past 55 years, China has been a stabilizing force in times of volatility.
China is firmly committed to pursuing peaceful development and has the best track record on peace and security among major countries.
It is the largest contributor to peacekeepers among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.
It also took the initiative that led to the issuance of the first joint statement of the leaders of the five nuclear weapon states on preventing nuclear war.
China has been a main engine driving common development.
China has created two miracles at home, namely fast economic growth and long term social stability.
And over many years, it has contributed around 30% to global growth.
China has joined hands with more than three-fourths of the countries in the world in pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
It has mobilized over 23 billion USD and carried out more than 2000 projects under the Global Development Initiative.
And it has granted zero-tariff status to all the African countries and LDCs, having diplomatic relations with it to empower the Global South in pursuing modernization.
China has been a progressive force in an era of change.
China has always spoken up for the global South, stood up for the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and continued to work toward a more just and equitable global governance system.
In October, China will host the Global Governance Forum in the Xiong’an New Area.
You’re welcome to attend the forum and join in the discussion about the way forward in global governance.
Mr. President, colleagues.
No matter how the international dynamics evolve, China remains unchanged in its pursuit of peace and development and its dedication to safeguarding fairness and justice, and in its commitment to multilateralism.
China will join hands with all other countries to build a community with a shared future for humanity and make the world a better place for all of us.
Thank you.
On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.
Read also:
- Speech of Chinese President at General Debate of 75th Session of UNGA 2020
- United Nations Member States: Full List, Capitals, History, and Constitutions
- China and Chinese in 1771
China at UNGA 81 — Sarvarthapedia Knowledge Web
Node
China — 81st United Nations General Assembly — Han Zheng — 26 September 2026
The principal node connects China’s UNGA 81 address with the wider conceptual system of international order, UN-centred multilateralism, global security, global development, civilizational dialogue, international trade, artificial intelligence, Global South representation and China’s concept of a community with a shared future for humanity. The Chinese Foreign Ministry itself described the UN as the core platform for global governance and the 81st General Debate as an opportunity to advance multilateral action.
Core Concept Cluster
International Order
China at UNGA 81
→ Post-World War II International Order
→ United Nations System
→ UN Charter
→ International Law
→ Sovereign Equality of States
→ Collective Security
→ Multilateralism
The central institutional proposition is that international relations should operate through the UN-centred international system, international law and consultation rather than unilateral action or bloc confrontation.
United Nations
China at UNGA 81
→ United Nations General Assembly
→ UN Security Council
→ UN Charter
→ UN Reform
→ Global Governance
→ Representation of the Global South
This cluster leads to the institutional question:
UN as International Institution
→ authority
→ representation
→ effectiveness
→ reform
→ financing
→ peace and security
→ development
→ global governance.
Multilateralism
Multilateralism
→ United Nations
→ International Law
→ Consultation
→ Collective Action
→ Global Governance
→ International Justice
The Chinese speech presents multilateralism not merely as a diplomatic method but as a governing principle for relations among states.
Global Security Cluster
Common Security
Global Security Initiative
→ Common Security
→ Comprehensive Security
→ Cooperative Security
→ Sustainable Security
This conceptual chain connects security with the rejection of Cold War mentality, bloc politics and unilateral military action.
Conflict Resolution
International Conflict
→ Dialogue
→ Consultation
→ Political Settlement
→ International Law
→ UN Charter
Cross-reference:
Ukraine Crisis
↔ Political Settlement
↔ China’s Four-Point Position
↔ Global Security Initiative
Palestine Question
↔ Two-State Solution
↔ Gaza Reconstruction
↔ West Bank Governance
↔ Palestinians Governing Palestine
Cuba
↔ Unilateral Sanctions
↔ Blockade
↔ Sovereignty
↔ International Law
Middle East Cluster
Palestine
Palestinian Question
→ Two-State Solution
→ Gaza Reconstruction
→ West Bank Governance
→ Palestinian Self-Government
→ Regional Security
Middle East Security
Middle East
→ State Sovereignty
→ Gulf Security
→ Regional Stability
→ Energy Security
→ Industrial Supply Chains
→ Global Trade
This creates a wider conceptual bridge:
Regional War
→ Energy Security
→ Supply Chains
→ International Trade
→ Global Economic Stability
Global Development Cluster
Global Development Initiative
Global Development Initiative
→ Poverty Reduction
→ Food Security
→ Energy Transition
→ Development Finance
→ Climate Finance
→ Global South Development
The Global Development Initiative, launched by Xi Jinping at the 76th UN General Assembly in 2021, forms one of the principal conceptual pillars surrounding China’s 2026 UN diplomacy.
Development and Security
Development
↔ Security
↔ Stability
↔ Trade
↔ Infrastructure
↔ Technology
This produces an important Sarvarthapedia cross-reference:
Development Deficit → Social Instability → Political Instability → Security Risk
and, in the reverse direction:
Peace → Stability → Investment → Development → Prosperity
Global South Cluster
Global South
Global South
→ Development
→ Representation
→ International Finance
→ Climate Finance
→ Trade
→ Technology Access
→ Global Governance Reform
Representation
Global South Representation
↔ UN Reform
↔ International Institutions
↔ Voting Power
↔ Development Finance
↔ International Justice
This is one of the principal conceptual bridges in the speech:
Development Inequality → Institutional Inequality → Governance Reform
Economic Globalization Cluster
Open World Economy
Open World Economy
→ Free Flow of Trade
→ Supply Chains
→ Industrial Cooperation
→ Economic Globalization
Protectionism
Protectionism
→ Trade Barriers
→ Decoupling
→ Supply-Chain Disruption
→ Industrial Fragmentation
Cross-reference:
Global Trade
↔ WTO
↔ Rules-Based Trading System
↔ Economic Globalization
↔ Supply Chains
The Chinese position therefore connects economic openness with the broader political argument for international cooperation.
Artificial Intelligence Cluster
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence
→ Scientific Revolution
→ Industrial Transformation
→ Digital Economy
→ Global Development
AI Governance
AI Governance
→ People-Centred Technology
→ AI for Good
→ Digital Inclusion
→ Digital Divide
→ International Cooperation
Cross-reference:
AI Development
↔ Global Governance
↔ Technology Governance
↔ Development Inequality
↔ Global South
China’s wider UN diplomacy in September 2026 also described AI as requiring open and inclusive development for all and for good, connecting technology governance directly with international cooperation.
Civilization Cluster
Global Civilization Initiative
Global Civilization Initiative
→ Civilizational Diversity
→ Mutual Respect
→ Mutual Learning
→ Dialogue Among Civilizations
→ Harmonious Coexistence
Civilization and Politics
Civilizational Diversity
↔ Political Systems
↔ Development Paths
↔ Cultural Sovereignty
↔ Non-Interference
↔ International Dialogue
This creates a distinct conceptual opposition within the Chinese discourse:
Civilizational Plurality
→ diversity
→ mutual learning
→ dialogue
versus
Ideological Uniformity
→ ideological prejudice
→ political confrontation
→ bloc formation.
Community of Shared Future Cluster
Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
→ Peace
→ Development
→ Security
→ Civilization
→ Global Governance
→ Multilateralism
This functions as the umbrella node connecting the four major Chinese initiatives:
Global Development Initiative
↕
Global Security Initiative
↕
Global Civilization Initiative
↕
Global Governance Initiative
↓
Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
China–UN Historical Cluster
1971 and Resolution 2758
25 October 1971
→ UN General Assembly Resolution 2758
→ Restoration of PRC Representation
→ China and the United Nations
→ China’s Multilateral Diplomacy
55-Year Institutional Continuity
1971
→ restoration of PRC representation
→ UN participation
→ Security Council membership
→ peacekeeping
→ development cooperation
→ global governance
→ 2026
The 55th anniversary therefore becomes a historical bridge between China’s entry into the contemporary UN system and its present claim to a larger role in global governance.
China as International Actor
Peace
China
→ UN Peacekeeping
→ Nuclear Risk Reduction
→ Conflict Mediation
→ Political Settlement
Development
China
→ Belt and Road Initiative
→ Global Development Initiative
→ Infrastructure Cooperation
→ Trade
→ Global South
Governance
China
→ Global Governance Initiative
→ UN Reform
→ Multilateralism
→ Global South Representation
Thus:
China’s UN Role
→ Peace
→ Development
→ Governance
Belt and Road Cluster
Belt and Road Initiative
→ Infrastructure
→ Connectivity
→ Trade
→ Investment
→ Supply Chains
→ Global South Development
Cross-reference:
Belt and Road
↔ Economic Globalization
↔ Infrastructure Diplomacy
↔ Development Cooperation
↔ China–Global South Relations
Governance Architecture
Global Governance
Global Governance
→ United Nations
→ International Law
→ Multilateralism
→ Global Institutions
→ Representation
→ International Cooperation
Governance Reform
UN Reform
→ Institutional Effectiveness
→ Representation of Developing Countries
→ Global South Voice
→ Peace and Security
→ Sustainable Development
Historical–Conceptual Network
World War II
→ Postwar International Order
→ United Nations
→ International Law
→ 1945 Global Institutional System
1945
→ UN Charter
→ Security Council
→ General Assembly
→ International Legal Order
1971
→ Resolution 2758
→ PRC representation
→ China within UN system
2021
→ Global Development Initiative
2022
→ Global Security Initiative
2023
→ Global Civilization Initiative
2023 onward
→ Global Governance Initiative
2026
→ 81st UN General Assembly
→ Han Zheng
→ China’s Global Governance Position
Primary See Also Web
International System
See also:
United Nations
United Nations General Assembly
United Nations Security Council
United Nations Charter
International Law
Post-World War II International Order
Multilateralism
Global Governance
Sovereign Equality
Chinese Global Initiatives
See also:
Global Development Initiative
Global Security Initiative
Global Civilization Initiative
Global Governance Initiative
Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
International Security
See also:
Collective Security
Common Security
Nuclear Disarmament
Nuclear Risk Reduction
Ukraine Crisis
Palestinian Question
Gaza War
Two-State Solution
Middle East Security
Development and Economy
See also:
Global South
Sustainable Development
Development Finance
Climate Finance
Food Security
Energy Transition
Belt and Road Initiative
World Trade Organization
Economic Globalization
Protectionism
Supply Chains
Technology
See also:
Artificial Intelligence
AI Governance
Digital Divide
Digital Economy
Technological Development
Technology and Global Governance
Civilization
See also:
Civilizational Diversity
Dialogue Among Civilizations
Civilizational Pluralism
Mutual Learning Among Civilizations
Cultural Diplomacy
Global Civilization Initiative
Sarvarthapedia Master Graph
Central Node
CHINA — UNGA 81 — HAN ZHENG — 26 SEPTEMBER 2026
Four Principal Branches
Peace
→ Security
→ Conflict Resolution
→ Sovereignty
→ UN Charter
Development
→ Global South
→ Trade
→ Infrastructure
→ Technology
→ AI
Civilization
→ Diversity
→ Dialogue
→ Mutual Learning
→ Political Plurality
Governance
→ Multilateralism
→ UN Reform
→ International Law
→ Representation
→ Global Justice
Final Convergence
Peace + Development + Civilizational Dialogue + Multilateral Governance
→ Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
China–UNGA 81 connects Chinese foreign-policy concepts with the larger Sarvarthapedia knowledge architecture of international order → security → development → civilization → technology → global governance → United Nations. The UN itself remains the institutional centre of the network, while China’s four initiatives form the principal Chinese conceptual layer around it.
