YouSaid · the spoken record

QIAN QICHEN

lines on the record: 273
first: 1988-09-24
most recent: 1997-09-24
sittings or episodes: 10
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“However, it is also important for the international community, and the developed countries in particular, to take practical and effective measures to open markets, provide development funds, transfer technology, increase development aid and reduce the debt burden in favour of the developing countries. International economic cooperation should be guided by the principle of mutual opening-up, equality and mutual benefit. Such practices as implementing protectionist policies of one form or another and attaching political strings to economic assistance to developing countries are obviously misguided. Profound changes have taken place in China amid the surging tide of change and development across the world.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Given much-needed support to the developing countries as they reactivate their economies and creating a favourable external environment for them are not only important conditions for the shared economic growth and common prosperity of all countries, but also a crucial guarantee for lasting peace and stability throughout the world. Given the present situation, the United Nations should ask itself to pay at least as much attention to development as to peace, effectively perform its duties under the Charter and play a more dynamic role in galvanizing economic growth and development in the developing countries. The reform of the United Nations must result in the strengthening, not the weakening, of its role in the area of development. True, fairly rapid economic growth in the developing countries must depend primarily on their own efforts.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It has become a trend in today’s world that when countries formulate their domestic and foreign policies they accord top priority to the economy and pay close attention to national economic development. The worldwide tendency towards economic integration, regionalization and the formation of economic groupings has accelerated, and competition among States in the economic, trade, scientific and technological fields has further intensified. Under such circumstances, the developing countries are faced with a formidable challenge as they strive for economic growth and higher living standards for their people. Furthermore, over 1 billion people on this planet remain in abject poverty; this constitutes one of the world community’s most acute problems.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The Chinese Government has from the very beginning unilaterally undertaken not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States. China’s nuclear weapons therefore do not constitute a threat to any country. We strongly urge other nuclear-weapon States to respond positively to China’s initiative by immediately starting negotiations aimed at concluding a treaty on mutual non- first-use of nuclear weapons and an agreement on the non- use or non-threat of use of nuclear weapons against non- nuclear-weapon States and nuclear-free zones.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The indefinite extension of the NPT must not be construed as an indefinite license for the nuclear-weapon States to perpetuate their prerogatives. One year ago, also from this rostrum, on behalf of the Chinese Government I called for the conclusion of a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons and put forward a series of complete and interrelated proposals on nuclear disarmament. We are pleased to note that the negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty have produced some gratifying progress. China supports the conclusion of such a treaty no later than 1996 and will continue to work with other countries to this end. Once the treaty enters into force, China will stop its nuclear testing. China’s possession of a limited nuclear capability is entirely for self-defence and for deterring the nuclear threat against it.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It has been demonstrated time and again that United Nations peace-keeping operations, if divorced from these guidelines, would, contrary to our wishes, fail to achieve their desired objectives and might even go astray. Last May, the Review and Extension Conference of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) adopted the decision to renew the NPT indefinitely. This serves the interests of all signatories, helps to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime and is conducive to the maintenance of world peace and security. China believes that nuclear non-proliferation is only an interim step towards the ultimate goal of the complete prohibition and total destruction of nuclear weapons.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Some countries should not be allowed to carry out military intervention in the name of the United Nations; For peace-keeping operations, adherence to the principles that have proved effective, such as obtaining prior consent from the parties concerned, observing strict neutrality and the non-use of force except for self- defence; Adoption of a realistic approach and confining the operation within one’s capability. Peace-keeping operations should be launched only when conditions are ripe and should refrain, in whatever circumstances, from 10 becoming a party to a conflict in deviation from the fundamental orientation of such operations.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We believe that, to ensure a healthy development of United Nations peace-keeping operations and activities in other related fields such as preventive diplomacy, the following guidelines should be established and followed: Observation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, in particular the principle of respect for State sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries; Settlement of disputes through peaceful means such as good offices, mediation and negotiations instead of resort to frequent mandatory actions. Even humanitarian operations should not resort to military means; Opposition to double standards and the imposition of the policies and views of one or a few countries on the Security Council.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We maintain that the parties concerned should, in the fundamental and long-term interests of the people, seek just and fair solutions through negotiations, taking into full account both history and reality as well as the reasonable interests and positions of all sides. Where consensus cannot be reached immediately, the parties concerned should exercise restraint and patience so as to prevent contradictions from intensifying and at the same time try to create conditions and an atmosphere for an eventual peaceful settlement. United Nations peace-keeping operations in recent years have played a useful role in settling international disputes peacefully. They have both accumulated successful experience and learned lessons from setbacks.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Hegemonism and power politics continue to hold out. Peace and development, the two major tasks of the world today, still face grave challenges. Armed conflicts and catastrophic wars in some parts of the world remain unabated, which has not only inflicted heavy losses of life and property on the countries and peoples concerned, but also casts a shadow over regional peace and stability and that of the whole world. All this cannot but cause concern and distress among the world’s people. As the background and causes behind these conflicts are complicated, to seek a just, fair and appropriate solution to them would call for tremendous and concerted efforts by all the parties concerned, the United Nations and the international community as a whole.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The post-war period of half a century proves that in handling State-to-State relations, “hot war”, “cold war” or “bloc politics” do not work. Strict observance of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence are the only way for States to live in amity with each other and achieve common development. Since the last session of the General Assembly, thanks to the joint efforts of various quarters, the tendency towards the peaceful settlement of disputes through negotiations has grown and international economic cooperation has gained momentum. However, there still remain many destabilizing and uncertain factors in the international situation.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“All sovereign States, whether they are big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community. The internal affairs of a country should be managed by its own people. Major world affairs should be addressed by countries through consultations on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In international relations, to bully the small, oppress the poor, override the weak, impose one’s own social system, ideology and values on others or interfere in other countries’ internal affairs all run counter to the spirit of the United Nations Charter. Some people are publicly clamouring for “containment” of other countries, which shows that the cold war mentality still refuses to quit the stage of history. But it will ultimately be discarded by history.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“History has repeatedly proved that adherence to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter will enable the United Nations to play a positive role in safeguarding peace and promoting development, while violation of and departure from the purposes and principles of the Charter will impair the dignity and image of the United Nations and weaken its role. Therefore, to continue to uphold and carry forward the purposes and principles of the Charter is an unshirkable responsibility of all United Nations Members and a basic principle guiding the reform of the United Nations. The core of the United Nations Charter is the principle of equality between sovereign States and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, it is time to review the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, earnestly summarize the positive and negative experience, and introduce appropriate and necessary reforms so as to revitalize the United Nations and usher it into the new century with a new look to meet the challenge of the times. This is the call of all peoples and a lofty mission of the times. The United Nations, which was founded in the triumph of the world war against fascism, reflects the ardent desire and determination of the world’s people to avert the scourge of war forever, safeguard world peace and security, carry out friendly international cooperation 9 and achieve common development.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Over the past 50 years, the United Nations has stood the test of the vicissitudes in the international situation, grown steadily, scored remarkable achievements and made major contributions to the peace and prosperity of mankind. Its membership has increased from 51 at its founding to today’s 185. The status and role of the United Nations, the most universal and authoritative intergovernmental organization of sovereign States today, is irreplaceable by any other international organization. The United Nations has traversed a tortuous and uneven path over the past fifty years, just like the development of anything else.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Mr. President, please allow me, first of all, to warmly congratulate you on your election to the presidency of the current session of the General Assembly. I am convinced that with your remarkable ability and rich experience, you will admirably fulfil this mission. I would also like to express my appreciation and thanks to Mr. Amara Essy for the important contribution he has made during his presidency. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to extend my welcome and congratulations to the Republic of Palau, which was admitted into the United Nations after the last session. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Looking ahead to the twenty-first century, we are fully confident of the future of humanity. The Chinese people will make common efforts with all other peoples of the world to usher in a new century of peace and prosperity.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“We hope that the commemoration in various countries in the coming year will be used to review the experience of the past and look to the future so that we may carry forward the purposes and principles of the Charter and enable the Organization to do a better job in maintaining peace and promoting development. It was sad that the first half of our century witnessed two world wars with disastrous consequences for mankind. The ensuing cold war cast a dark and menacing shadow of war over the world for the greater part of the second half of the century. It is gratifying, none the less, that we have been able to fulfil the historic mission of eliminating the centuries-old colonial system from the Earth within this century. This is unquestionably one of the greatest achievements of contemporary human society.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Reform of the Security Council must be aimed at facilitating a better performance of its functions under the Charter. Any enlargement of the Council’s membership must fully conform to the principle of equitable geographical distribution to ensure broader representation. Actions by the Council should better reflect the collective will and common aspirations of the entire United Nations membership. To prepare for the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, China has set up a national committee, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolution.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It is the hope of the people of the world that the Organization will better fulfil the mission conferred on it by the Charter and and that it will make even greater contributions to the maintenance of peace and the promotion of development. To cope with the greatly changed international situation and grim challenges ahead, United Nations institutions should undergo relevant and necessary reforms. In our view, any such reforms should serve to maintain and enhance the positive role of the United Nations in international affairs and improve its efficiency. At the same time, the reforms should take full account of the concerns and interests of the developing countries, which make up the majority of the membership, so that their role may be enhanced. The function and role of the General Assembly should be strengthened.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“It is inevitable and normal that there is divergence of views on human rights issues. We are in favour of dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect so as to increase mutual understanding. We are against using human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. 11 Next year will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Both the world and the United Nations have undergone drastic changes in that half century. The United Nations is the most representative intergovernmental Organization of sovereign States. Members of the Organization are equal, irrespective of size, strength or wealth. Notwithstanding its shortcomings, the status and role of the United Nations in global international affairs remain irreplaceable by any other international organizations or groupings.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“In response to the call in the documents of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the Chinese Government has analysed the actual conditions in the country and drawn up "Agenda 21 - White Paper on China’s Population, Environment and Development in the 21st Century", which will be an important guide in the formulation of our medium- and long-term national, economic and social development plans. To ensure and protect human rights is an essential part of a nation’s social policy. My Government makes it a basic policy to constantly enhance the people’s enjoyment of human rights commensurate with our economic and social development. We always hold that the principle of universality of human rights must be viewed in the context of the actual conditions of a given country. Conditions vary from country to country.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Developing countries account for the majority of the world’s population and are in a disadvantaged position socially. This is where the emphasis of the United Nations social programmes should be placed. In recent years we have actively supported and participated in important international conferences on the environment, human rights and population under the auspices of the United Nations. We will actively take part in the World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Copenhagen next March. The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the Fourth World Conference on Women, to be held in Beijing in September 1995. The Chinese people, our women folk in particular, are preparing for and looking forward to this grand event with tremendous enthusiasm.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“But social ills still stand out starkly such as poverty, unemployment, the deteriorating environment, the population explosion, refugees, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, crime and injurious and unfair treatment of social groups such as women, children and the disabled. Some of these problems have become even more acute, and have cried out for a remedy by the world community through international cooperation. We consider that it is necessary to step up such cooperation. Because conditions vary, different countries face different social problems. Each country has to draw up social development policies adaptable to its own conditions. International cooperation in this field should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit without political strings or interference in domestic affairs.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Gross domestic product, foreign trade volume and overseas investments registered increases in the first six months of 11.6 per cent, 25.5 per cent and 54.9 per cent respectively, compared with the corresponding period last year. We will step up our all-directional opening-up and continue to work for world prosperity. We have been striving for an early resumption of our contracting party status in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. A solution to this matter will be in the interest of both China and the world as a whole. China needs to cooperate with the rest of the world which in turn needs such an important trading partner as China. A World Trade Organization without China would be inconceivable. Human society continues to move forward and make progress.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The international community and the United Nations should be more concerned with development matters and in particular should actively help the developing countries to achieve prosperity. We appreciate the Secretary-General’s efforts in submitting the Agenda for Development pursuant to General Assembly resolutions. We hope that our deliberations thereon will serve to reinvigorate world economic development and international cooperation. The Chinese Government considers economic development the central task of the whole nation and makes reform and opening its basic state policy. This year we have taken a new series of major steps to intensify the reform and opening which have the effect of ensuring sustained, rapid and healthy economic growth.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The World Trade 10 Organization, to be founded next year, should from the outset be a broadly representative and open trade institution based on equality and mutual benefit. The world economy is an interdependent whole. Developed countries should make more tangible contributions to global economic development and the expansion of international economic cooperation. Primarily they should take effective measures to open their markets, provide development funds, transfer technology and increase assistance to the developing countries to reduce their debt burden, thereby contributing to their economic growth, social stability and relief from poverty. Such actions will in turn bolster the economic growth of the developed countries themselves.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Hence all countries are devoting themselves to economic development and the expansion of international cooperation. This year the world economy has started a recovery and East Asia continues to maintain a high growth rate. But there is unevenness in the world as a whole. It is disturbing to note that the impoverishment of some developing countries has worsened. In the interest of common development, we call for the abolition of protectionism and of discrimination in international economic relations and trade. Neither global multilateral trade arrangements nor regional economic and trade cooperation should be exclusive. The principles of openness, equality and mutual benefit should be upheld.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The above points make up an integrated and interrelated nuclear disarmament process. We hold that all States, whether they possess nuclear weapons or not, are entitled to participate fully in this process. Since mankind has been able to make nuclear weapons and tap nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in the twentieth century, we are confident that in the twenty- first century it will be able to completely ban and destroy nuclear weapons and fully harness nuclear energy to enhance its own welfare. Before the advent of the new century, we stand ready to join the other nuclear as well as non-nuclear States to blaze the way towards this lofty goal and make our due contribution to its ultimate realization. It is now an international trend to give priority to economic problems.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“With a view to ultimately ridding mankind of the threat of a nuclear war and ushering in a nuclear-weapon-free world, the Chinese Government proposes the following. All countries that possess nuclear weapons should pledge unconditionally not to be the first to use them and should immediately start negotiations to conclude a treaty on non-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other; efforts for the establishment of nuclear-free zones should be supported and all nuclear Powers should undertake not to use or to threaten to use nuclear weapons against any non-nuclear-weapon State or nuclear-free zone; negotiations should be undertaken with a view to concluding a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty not later than 1996; the principal nuclear Powers should implement their existing nuclear disarmament treaties as scheduled and go on to drastically cut back their nuclear stockpiles; negotiations should be undertaken to conclude a convention banning the production of weapon-grade fissile materials; a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons should be signed under which all nuclear Powers should undertake the obligation to destroy all their nuclear weapons under effective international supervision; and international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be vigorously promoted simultaneously with the efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and step up the nuclear disarmament process.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Not only can we avert another world war, but the chances have increased for the complete prohibition and thorough elimination of nuclear weapons and for mankind ultimately to eliminate the threat of a nuclear war. China has always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough elimination of all weapons of mass destruction. The Chinese Government holds that a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons should be concluded in the same way as the conventions banning all biological and chemical weapons, respectively. As a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, China is in favour of its extension. Yet a mere extension of the Treaty is obviously not sufficient.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“All nations, notwithstanding their differences in social systems, ideologies, values or religious faiths, can live in amity and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation as long as they abide by these principles. Failure to do so will lead to friction, confrontation or even military conflicts. In a world as diversified as ours, nations have no alternative but to adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and to find common ground while shelving their differences in order to live together amicably and pursue common development. The peoples of the world have long lived in the shadow of a nuclear holocaust, due to the all-out nuclear arms race between the two super-Powers during the cold war, which resulted in a massive stockpiling of nuclear weapons. Now the international situation has drastically changed.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Here I wish to underline the importance of strict adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as the basic means to prevent international conflicts. 9 These principles, namely, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, were jointly initiated four decades ago by China, India and Myanmar - called "Burma" at the time - and were subsequently embodied in the 10 principles formulated by Asian and African countries at the Bandung Conference and in the purposes and principles espoused by the Association of South-East Asian Nations and other regional organizations of the developing countries. The history of the past four decades has testified to the immense vitality of the Five Principles.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Experience and lessons learned in this regard should be summed up. It is our consistent view that peace-keeping operations should strictly conform to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the norms of international relations. Such operations should be undertaken with the consent and cooperation of the parties concerned, and an impartial and unbiased attitude should be maintained. No peace-keeping operations or humanitarian aid programmes should be permitted to interfere in the internal affairs of any country, still less to use force or become embroiled in a conflict between the parties. A lesson should be drawn from what befell the United Nations peace-keeping forces in Somalia.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Experience has shown that such practices as interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and resorting to pressure, sanctions or even force at will cannot help; they can only increase the complications and difficulties that stand in the way of a final solution. In the interest of maintaining regional peace and stability, the international community and regional organizations should take an appropriate and effective approach, that is, to promote dialogue and negotiations between parties directly concerned so as to reach a solution acceptable to all sides. This has been best illustrated by the breakthrough achieved in the Middle East peace process and by the progress made on the Korean nuclear issue. United Nations peace-keeping operations can play a positive role, but not all of them have been successful.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“The world is still undergoing profound changes, and the transition toward multipolarity has accelerated. Economic factors are playing a greater role in international relations. Relaxation of tensions has become the main trend of the world today. However, hegemonism and power politics continue to hold out. Regional hot spots flare up intermittently. Destabilizing factors tend to multiply, thus compounding the volatility of the international scene. The maintenance of peace, strengthening of cooperation and promotion of development remain the major challenges of our era. To eliminate regional hot spots and settle international disputes are the world’s priorities and the common concern with which the international community has been trying to deal in one way or another.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“At the outset, I should like warmly to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the current session of the General Assembly. I am convinced that given your outstanding talent and consummate experience, you will fulfil this lofty mission with distinction. At the same time, I should like to express my appreciation and thanks to Mr. Samuel Insanally for the positive contribution he made during his presidency at the last session. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to extend a hearty welcome and congratulations to the delegation of South Africa, which is taking part in the work of the current session. We are convinced that a united, democratic and non-racial new South Africa led by President Nelson Mandela will contribute positively to the peace and development of Africa and of the world as a whole.”
1994-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 49 (1994)
“Our military expenditures are the lowest among the major countries. We have neither troops nor military bases on foreign territory. We are immersed in economic construction. Therefore, we need an international environment of enduring peace as well as long-term amicable relations with our neighbours. We are ready to cultivate and strengthen similar relationships with all other countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence. No matter how the wind may change its direction on the world scene, China will unswervingly play its part in preserving world peace and promoting common prosperity and development.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Nothing can make us forget the episodes of our history when our country was subjected to foreign aggression, dismemberment and enslavement. Our ancient sage Confucius, that great thinker and statesman, admonished: "Do not do unto others what you would not like others to do unto you". Even when China becomes more developed, we will never engage in aggression or expansionism; nor will we ever seek hegemony. This is a pledge which has been enshrined in our Constitution and which has become part of our consistent and firm basic State policy. It has been borne out by facts that China is a staunch force for world peace and stability. Our limited defence capability is solely for self-defence purposes. Many of our military industrial plants have been converted to civilian production.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It will require several generations working very hard for many decades before we can attain the level of an average developed country. At this juncture, I would like to draw attention to assertions recently bruited about on the international scene: that China’s economic success would entail a military build-up, or that China would move to "fill up the vacuum", thus constituting a threat, and so on and so forth. This is utterly groundless. A China with a burgeoning economy is an important factor contributing to the economic well-being of Asia and the world at large. The Chinese people had long suffered under imperialist aggression, and it regained independence only after horrible sacrifices in countless grim struggles spanning more than a century.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“But we have encountered some problems as our economy has picked up speed. These problems will be resolved by accelerating and deepening our reform. We have taken a number of measures to strengthen macro-control and readjust the economic structure to ensure healthy, rapid and steady economic growth. We are fully capable of attaining our objective. We are full of confidence in the future of our development programme. It is an objective reality that China has indeed achieved impressive economic success. But it does not tally with the facts to exaggerate our economic strength. Given China’s vast land area, huge population and uneven economic development in different parts of the country, our per capita gross national product is still quite low. Ours is still a developing country.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Our gross national product rose 12.8 per cent last year, and the current year’s growth rate will again be in double digits. Our foreign trade and economic cooperation have been expanding rapidly. Total trade volume in 1992 was a 5.2-fold increase over 1978, the year before the start of the reform and opening-up, and represents an annual growth rate of 13.9 per cent. Investments from overseas have flowed in rapidly. Nearly 50,000 overseas-funded projects involving $58 billion were approved in 1992. The momentum has continued into the current year. High-speed growth has helped basically solve the problem of feeding and clothing a population of over 1.1 billion and put China on the road towards prosperity. It has also boosted economic exchanges and cooperation with other countries. This is good for both China and the world.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“We oppose the all-too-frequent arbitrary use of sanctions by one country to bring pressure to bear on another under the pretext of controlling arms transfers while engaging in massive arms sales of one’s own which jeopardize the sovereignty and security of the country concerned. We also denounce the hegemonic conduct of a self-styled "world cop" that tramples upon international law and norms of international relations by endangering another country’s navigational safety and normal trading under the pretext of enforcing the ban on chemical weapons and in disregard of the provisions of the relevant international conventions. Thanks to the policy of reform and opening to the world, China’s economy has expanded considerably over the past 15 years and is now in high gear.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Now there are international arrangements and conventions that are designed to control arms transfers and ban certain types of weapons of mass destruction. Such conventions are aimed at maintaining international and regional peace, security and stability. The arrangements designed to control transfers of missile technology should also take into account such elements as the arbitrary use of missiles for attacks on other countries. Otherwise, such an arrangement will become a means by which certain Powers Forty-eighth session - 29 September l993 21 can maintain military superiority or play power politics. That is morally unjustifiable.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“If, however, complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons cannot be achieved soon enough, then let the nuclear Powers reach an agreement not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and not to use them against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-free zones. This is entirely feasible and should be done as soon as possible. This will put nuclear Powers to the test to see whether they are genuinely willing to treat non-nuclearweapon States as equals. China long ago unilaterally undertook not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances, and not to use or threaten to use them against any nuclear-free zone or non-nuclear-weapon State. We call upon all the other nuclear Powers to make the same pledge and conclude an international convention to this effect as soon as possible.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The Chinese Government has always stood for a total test ban within the framework of the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. We support an early start to negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty and will work in common with other countries towards a comprehensive nuclear-test ban at an early date. China has always exercised great restraint in nuclear testing. The number of our tests is the smallest among all nuclear Powers. While a nuclear test ban is necessary, to undertake not to use nuclear weapons at all is far more crucial, because this will not only make their testing, development, production or deployment devoid of any meaning, but will give great impetus to nuclear disarmament, which will contribute tremendously to world peace and security.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“The reform plan should undergo extensive discussions and consultations by the membership and should be generally acceptable to all. The Chinese Government has stated on many occasions that China stands for the non-proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction. At the same time we hold that the ultimate objective of mankind should be the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of those weapons. Now that the Conventions banning biological and chemical weapons have been concluded, we deem it high time that the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons were put on the agenda. The international community has expressed concern over the issue of a nuclear-test ban.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“Reform of the Security Council should enable it better to discharge its mandate in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter. It is the collective will and common aspiration of the membership that in the new circumstances the United Nations should be better equipped to address major international issues vigorously and effectively and in a fair and balanced manner. Therefore, the reform of the Security Council and other United Nations organs should take due account of the principle of equitable geographical distribution and should accommodate the interests of the developing countries which make up the overwhelming majority of the membership. Since any reform would affect the interests of all Member States and involve a revision of the Charter, views from all quarters must be heard.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“At a time when the world economy has become increasingly interrelated, the revitalization of the developing countries will be a boost to the world and will spur to the economic recovery and growth of the developed countries. Since the founding of the United Nations, tremendous changes have taken place in the world and in the Organization itself. United Nations membership has increased from the original 51 to 184 now, the majority being developing countries. The Chinese Government is of the view that, in keeping with developments, the United Nations should be restructured, and the composition of the Security Council could be appropriately enlarged to enable the Organization better to respond to the changes in the world, meet the concerns and wishes of the membership and enhance its own role in international affairs.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)
“It must be pointed out that unless the international community helps the developing countries break loose quickly from poverty and backwardness, there can be no sustained growth or prosperity for all. Hence, we call upon the developed countries to do more to curb trade protectionism, contribute more funds for development and environmental protection, cut back debt burden, increase official development assistance, reduce restrictions on technology transfer and open their markets wider so as to create a favourable environment for the economic recovery and revitalization of the developing countries. This will prove a boon to the developed countries themselves.”
1993-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 48 (1993)