Xi Jinping says China will remain a trustworthy UN partner

Chinese President Xi Jinping told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Tianjin that China will always be a reliable partner of the United Nations, pledging deeper cooperation and support for the organisation’s global role.

Xi Jinping said China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations (UN), back its central role in international affairs, and work together to safeguard peace, development and prosperity. He made the remarks in Tianjin on Saturday during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the UN, Xi stressed that history shows multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation are the right path to face global challenges. He called for restoring the UN’s authority and vitality so that it can serve as the key platform for coordination among countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also travelled to Tianjin for the summit, where he received a red-carpet welcome from senior city officials. His four-day visit to China, a rare length of stay for the Russian leader, underscores the growing closeness between Moscow and Beijing.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also held talks with Xi Jinping, where the two leaders reaffirmed their comprehensive strategic partnership and highlighted expanding cooperation in trade, energy and the Belt and Road’s Trans-Caspian route. Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan was also in Tianjin for the summit, underscoring the high-level regional participation.

Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in China on Sunday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit as a guest of honour. Accompanied by senior officials, he will join a dinner hosted by Xi Jinping, deliver remarks at Monday’s session, and hold talks with world leaders amidst global tensions.

"In a world of profound changes unseen in a century, China has provided stability and certainty and will continue to bring new opportunities to the world with its new development," Xi said.

Guterres noted that multilateralism and the UN’s authority face growing challenges. He said the international governance structure is in urgent need of reform and stressed that it is timely to revive the UN’s original values set out 80 years ago.

Hailing China as a cornerstone in defending multilateralism, the UN chief said the organisation seeks closer cooperation with Beijing to promote multipolarity, strengthen the voice of developing countries, and ensure the UN plays a stronger role in global affairs.

Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi, Wang Yi and Chen Min’er were also present at the meeting.

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