Mr. Chairman,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I wish to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government, warm congratulations on the convocation of the 14th Summit of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM). I also wish to congratulate Cuba on taking over the chairmanship of the NAM and express our appreciation to Malaysia for its efforts and contributions during its chairmanship.

    Mr. Chairman,

    The birth of the Non-aligned Movement 45 years ago demonstrated the developing countries' strong demand for democracy in international relations and advanced their cause to win independence, uphold sovereignty, oppose hegemonism and develop economy.

    Over the past 45 years, guided by the purposes and principles of independence, self-determination and non-alignment, the NAM has played a unique and indispensable role by serving as an important platform and channel for developing countries to strengthen themselves through unity, advance common interests and exert influence on international affairs.

    Today, forty-five years later, the developing world has emerged on the international stage as a champion for multilateralism and a vigorous advocate for global peace, harmony and common development. China is convinced that the rejuvenation of developing countries is an irreversible trend in the 21st century.

    In the new historical era, the purposes of the NAM are as relevant as ever, and its role must be strengthened. We support the NAM in its efforts to tap its potential and invigorate itself through reform.

    China hopes that the NAM member states will maintain solidarity, strengthen coordination, act in keeping with the long-term and overall interests and work to uphold their common interests. We support the NAM in improving its mechanisms, especially by giving full play to the role of the chairmanship and the NAM Troika. We support the NAM's involvement in resolving major international issues in a more flexible and proactive manner to make the voice of developing countries better heard in the world.

    Mr. Chairman,

    I wish to take this opportunity to state China's positions and views on major international and regional issues.

    China supports carrying out proper and necessary reform of the United Nations to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and enable it to better respond to global threats and challenges. The reform should focus on strengthening the role of the United Nations in addressing development-related issues, increasing the voice of developing countries and accommodating their interests. The reform should achieve these goals which are an important criterion for judging the success of the reform. Otherwise, no reform will gain the support of developing countries.

    China calls on the international community to take concrete steps to implement the consensus reached and commitments made at the UN summit last September. Developed countries should respect the major role of developing countries in this endeavor, increase assistance, relieve debts, open markets and achieve 0.7% of GNI for official development assistance. We also call for early resumption of the Doha Round of WTO negotiations with emphasis on development. Developing countries should tap potential for cooperation, consolidate and advance the progress of South-South cooperation and explore new ideas and ways to achieve common development. China is working to implement the five major measures to assist the development of other developing countries announced by President Hu Jintao at the UN Summit.

    China holds the firm position that the next UN Secretary-General should come from Asia. Asia is fully capable of producing a competent and prestigious secretary-general committed to multilateralism and broadly accepted by the international community. China sincerely hopes that Asian countries will maintain unity and strengthen consultation to attain our common goal. I am convinced that the common position of Asian countries will continue to enjoy the full support of the NAM.

    China supports the restoration of just and lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the principle of "land for peace". We will continue to support the just stand and positions of Arab countries in the United Nations and at the UN Security Council. China hopes that the parties concerned will implement the Security Council Resolution 1701, observe the ceasefire, enhance the UNIFIL, carry out full scale humanitarian assistance and reconstruction and work out a long-term political solution through negotiation as soon as possible.

    Iran has the right to use nuclear energy peacefully. At the same time, it should fulfill its obligations and commitment under relevant international treaties. The Iranian nuclear issue is at a critical juncture. The door to reaching a peaceful solution through diplomatic means is still open. All parties concerned should take constructive steps and show flexibility to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early date. The parties should enhance mutual understanding, narrow differences through negotiation and work together to advance peace and stability in the Middle East. They should bolster the international non-proliferation regime and prevent global economic development and energy security from being undermined.

    China calls for the peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue to make the peninsula free of nuclear weapons and maintain peace and stability both on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia. The early resumption of the Six-Party Talks and comprehensive implementation of the Joint Statement will help achieve those objectives. We urge the parties concerned to enhance mutual trust, move towards each other and create conditions for the settlement of the issue rather than take any action that will increase tension and exacerbate the situation.

    China opposes, as always, the willful use or threat of use of sanctions in handling international relations. We support the Cuban Government and the people in their efforts to safeguard independence and sovereignty and urge the country concerned to follow the trend of the times and lift its economic, business and financial blockade and sanctions against Cuba.

    Mr. Chairman,

    No matter how our world may change, China will remain a true and reliable friend and partner of the NAM. We will continue to promote China's traditional friendship and cooperation with the NAM, keep in close contact with it on international and regional issues of common interest, strengthen coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral fields, make joint efforts to promote South-South cooperation and strive to advance the common interests of developing countries.

    Thank you!