In speech to UN, Xi Jinping calls for mutual respect and cooperation between nations
- Chinese leader’s diplomatic rhetoric is unlikely to sway any American politicians who are already alarmed by Beijing’s actions, according to analyst
- ‘Unilateralism is a dead end,’ says Xi, who did not mention the US by name
The world’s great powers should respect international law and avoid double standards, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told a United Nations meeting on Monday.
“Cold War mentality, ideological lines or zero-sum game are no solution to a country’s own problem, still less an answer to mankind’s common challenges,” said Xi, who spoke via video to a meeting commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN.
“Unilateralism is a dead end,” he said.
01:14
President Xi Jinping calls for global cooperation on Covid-19 in UN 75th anniversary speech
His speech – which called for mutual respect and cooperation between nations – comes amid plummeting US-China relations over the coronavirus, trade and human rights; a growing list of disputes between Beijing and its many neighbours over territorial claims; and soaring tensions with countries as far away as Canada and the Czech Republic.
“Relations among countries and coordination of their interests must only be based on rules and institutions; they must not be lorded over by those who wave a strong fist at others,” Xi said.
Xi did not mention the US by name, but his remarks echoed similar recent comments from Beijing criticising the Trump administration’s policies toward China, which some Chinese officials have described as veering dangerously close to a new cold war.
In particular, the Trump administration has urged countries around the world to stay away from Chinese technology companies selling products like 5G networks, arguing that Beijing can use the technology to spy on citizens.