Xi Jinping: mutual respect and equality are the requirements of the progress of the times and the first principle of the UN Charter.
This speech came from Xi Jinping's speech at the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Summit of the United Nations in September 21, 2020.
Today (24th) is un day. Since the formation of the nation-state, the international community, under the influence of the jungle law of the jungle, has been difficult to get rid of power politics and zero sum game, and has experienced many wars and conflicts. Today, 75 years ago, the United Nations was formally established, and the principle of sovereign equality, as the first of the seven principles that the United Nations and its member states should abide by, is written into the Charter of the United Nations. It is on the basis of the principle of sovereign equality that States undertake to faithfully fulfill their obligations under the Charter, to settle disputes by peaceful means, not to threaten or use force, and not to interfere in the internal affairs of any country. These have become the core of the basic principles of modern international law. The United Nations has also become the most important place for Member States to consult and cooperate on an equal footing in handling international affairs, marking a key step in the democratization of international relations.
Today, the United Nations has experienced the test of the cold war and the baptism of globalization. It is still full of vitality and reposes the yearning of more than 7 billion people of the world for a better life. The connotation of the principle of sovereign equality is also constantly enriched, which reflects the requirements of the progress of the times. President Xi Jinping's speech profoundly explained this point. First of all, it means that the state is equal in the national dignity, and does not allow big bullying to be small, rich in poverty and strong in bullying. It also means that all countries enjoy equal development rights, and they follow equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules in international economic cooperation. Understanding each other with tolerance and humility, rather than belittle each other with arrogance and prejudice.
Taking history as a mirror reflects the hardships of the United Nations along the way, and also lights up the road to the future. Under the new situation, elements such as jungle law, hegemonism and vicious competition among countries still remain in the current international order. The world needs a United Nations that can uphold justice for developing countries, promote multilateralism rather than unilateralism, advocate the rule of law instead of jungle law, and practice the democratization of international relations rather than power politics.