On May 7, 2021, under the initiative of China as rotating presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for May, the UN Security Council held a high-level meeting on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding Multilateralism and the UN-centered International System" via video link. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the meeting, and the foreign ministers of Russia, the United States, Mexico, Vietnam, Niger, Tunisia, Kenya, Ireland, Norway, Estonia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the deputy foreign ministers of India, Britain and France attended the meeting. General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir briefed the meeting.

Wang Yi pointed out, President Xi Jinping expounded on the essence of multilateralism and underscored the importance of sticking to multilateralism as the path forward at the high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN held last September.

Wang Yi said, the UN is the banner of multilateralism. To uphold multilateralism, countries must follow the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguard the authority and status of the UN, and defend the UN's central role in international affairs. This is what it means to practice multilateralism in modern times, which is incompatible with unilateralism.

Wang Yi expressed, facing the once-in-a-century pandemic and unprecedented changes, all parties should firmly follow the path of mutually beneficial cooperation to truly practice multilateralism. To this end, China calls to:

Pursue win-win cooperation, not zero-sum game. All countries should conduct dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. No country should expect others to lose, but should strive to win together with other countries to achieve universal security and common prosperity.

Seek equity and justice, not bullying. The essence is to promote the democratization of international relations, so that all countries share the responsibility for governance and jointly promote peaceful development. The key is to promote the rule of law in international relations, abide by universally recognized international laws and honor agreed international agreements. International rules are not patents and privileges of a few countries. There is no room for exceptionalism and double standards.

Focus on actions, instead of only talking the talk. All countries should incorporate their national interests into global interests. They should consider both the present and the long-term needs, and must not undermine the sustained peace of the world and the sustainable development of the world at the cost of short-term needs. In particular, major countries must set an example and take the lead in providing global public goods.

Respect diversity, and refrain from pursuing supremacy. Each country has its own unique history and culture, and needs to take a development path that suits its own national conditions. This diversity, together with the common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, will unleash strong power of multilateralism. Splitting the world along the ideological line conflicts with a spirit of multilateralism, and is a regression in history.

Wang Yi said, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat at the UN. Standing at a new historical starting point, China will stay committed to multilateralism, and implement major initiatives announced by President Xi Jinping at the high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN. China will continue to support the UN-centered multilateral mechanisms with concrete actions, and continue to work as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of international order and a provider of public goods. China stands ready to work with other countries to promote a new voyage for multilateralism, help the UN embark on a new journey, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The participants agreed that China's initiative to hold this meeting is timely and significant. Under the current situation, the international community should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, continue to follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and strengthen the authority and role of the UN. All countries should join hands to respond to global challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, uphold the UN-centered international system, maintain international peace and promote common development.

Wang Yi said in his closing remarks, we have so many foreign ministers present. It shows that all member states of the Security Council attach great importance to promoting multilateralism. All speakers emphasize the significance of upholding multilateralism, express the necessity of defending purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and reiterate the urgency of the UN to play a greater role in international affairs. These are the greatest common denominator of all of our countries and the greatest consensus reached this meeting. We need real multilateralism. The key to achieve this goal is to follow the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, the rule of law, consultation, cooperation, and pace with the times, and adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. International rules should be made by all countries instead of being dominated by a hand of countries or a group of countries. China believes that real multilateralism is the common choice of the international community, which will lead us to get out of the haze of the pandemic and better maintain world peace and development.