Beijing:
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said the country is determined to further open up to the world and will always remain a member of the big family of developing countries, Chinese state media reported.
During the general debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Han also said China was committed to an independent foreign policy and protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a report late Thursday from Xinhua.
“The legitimate security concerns of all countries must be addressed, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, and disagreements and disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation,” Han said.
On the conflict in Ukraine, Han said: “China supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role for the early achievement of peace.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that China will maintain an independent and impartial stance towards Ukraine as it seeks a political solution to the issue.
Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine it launched in February 2022, and is under international pressure to do more to convince Moscow to end the war. The country has offered its own peace plan, which has received a lukewarm response in both Russia and Ukraine.
Han also met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the UN meeting, calling both countries “hardcore friends” who share hardships and vowing to continue taking bilateral ties to a new level.
Vucic is expected to attend China’s third Belt and Road Forum next month, bringing together representatives from more than 110 countries to discuss China’s ambitious transcontinental trade and infrastructure initiative.
In his remarks at the UN, Han said development should be “placed at the center of the international agenda, and development benefits should reach every country and individual in a more equitable way.”
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