06/11/2025 | Press release | Archived content
On 3 June 2025, H.E. Liu Yantao, Ambassador of China to Cyprus, attended the International Conference "The International System in a Fast-changing World: Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" and gave a speech. The following is the full text of Ambassador Liu's speech:
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
Kalimera! It gives me great pleasure to join you at the international conference on "The International System in a Fast-changing World: Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind". This is a timely conference with a highly relevant theme. At the outset, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, I would like to extend warm congratulations on the opening of this event!
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. Emerging from the devastation of wars, the international community drew painful lessons from history, leading to the establishment of the United Nations and the widespread recognition of multilateralism.
However, today's world is beset by rising unilateralism and bullying practices. In particular, a certain country has openly threatened territorial expansion, waged trade and tariff wars, and willfully applied the law of the jungle for the sake of its selfish interests. These actions have seriously undermined the UN-centered international system, and blatantly challenged the international order underpinned by international law. The international community has suffered for far too long. In this context, I would like to share with you three points of view.
First, in a world marked by intertwined changes and turbulence, the international community needs more than ever to uphold true multilateralism.
We must uphold fairness and justice and promote greater democracy in international relations. All countries, regardless of size or strength, are equal. Global affairs should be jointly discussed and decided by all countries. The future of the world should be in the hands of all nations. It needs to be stressed that rules should not be set by a single country or a small number of people. Double standards or selective application should not be allowed for widely recognized international rules.
We must uphold openness and inclusiveness and adhere to multilateral trade rules. Trade war or tariff war benefits no one. The world must not and cannot return to a state of isolation or division. Countries should work together to promote economic globalization towards greater openness, inclusiveness, balance and mutual benefit.
We must uphold solidarity and cooperation and strive to bridge differences. In a world featured by both diversity and unity, countries are interconnected and share a common future. In the face of global challenges, no nation can stand alone. Dialogue must replace confrontation, consultation must replace coercion, and win-win cooperation must replace zero-sum games.
Second, true multilateralism is a shared commitment between China, the EU, and Cyprus.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations. Both China and the EU advocate and practice multilateralism. We are two major forces for multipolarity, two major markets supporting globalization, and two great civilizations promoting diversity.
While the world is undergoing profound changes, the shared pursuit of multilateralism, openness, and cooperation between China and the EU remains unchanged. As long as China and the EU uphold dialogue and cooperation, bloc confrontation will not take hold. As long as both sides uphold openness and mutual benefit, the tide of economic globalization will not be fundamentally reversed.
The commitment to multilateralism also forms the foundation of the China-Cyprus strategic partnership. The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, and resolutely upheld the one-China principle and the one-Cyprus principle in multilateral platforms such as the UN. Under the new circumstances, China is ready to work with the EU and Cyprus to set a good example for practicing multilateralism.
Third, China is a staunch pillar of true multilateralism.
Eighty years ago, China was the first country to sign the UN Charter. Over the past eight decades, China has remained committed to multilateralism, with the future of humanity in mind and the wellbeing of the people at heart.
President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and three major global initiatives, which are the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. China advocates for an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all. In this way, we have contributed Chinese wisdom to the reform and improvement of global governance.
China is committed to peaceful development and has played a constructive role in the settlement of hotspot issues and in UN peacekeeping efforts. We are resolutely expanding high-standard opening up and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, contributing to common development and prosperity worldwide.
China firmly supports the UN's central role in international affairs and staunchly upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law. We spare no effort to promote fairness, justice, and progress for all humanity.
On 30 May 2025, the International Organization for Mediation, initiated by China, was officially inaugurated in Hong Kong. This offers a new option for the international community to resolve disputes and achieve reconciliation on a voluntary basis. It is a concrete step in practicing multilateralism and fulfilling the spirit of the UN Charter. We hope more countries will join this organization and support it in playing a positive role in the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Distinguished Guests, Friends,
China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. Faced with the complexities and chaos in today's world, China's choice is clear and unwavering. We will always stand on the side of multilateralism, on the side of equity and justice, and on the side of the common interests of the international community.
China is ready to work with all parties to draw wisdom from history, uphold true multilateralism, and firmly advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Together, let's create a brighter future for the world! Thank you!