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Interview: China plays crucial role in promoting construction of better world: UNOG chief

Xinhua, February 1, 2017 Adjust font size:

The head of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) has hailed China's role as a catalyst and as one "showing the way forward" in promoting the construction of a better world.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Michael Moller, director-general of UNOG, hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Palace of Nations in Geneva.

"Particularly in today's world that is fragmented, confrontational and difficult, his message was extremely welcome," said Moller.

"I look forward to our working very closely together to make sure we move forward on what is basically a very common approach," said Moller.

In the face of climate change, migration, resource scarcity, water, health and financial issues, the world must cooperate to find solutions and reduce the impact of these global scourges on affected populations, he added.

Against this challenging backdrop, the UN official welcomed Chinese support for multilateralism, adding that the country can play a key role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris agreement on climate change, both adopted in 2015.

"There the role of China is really important as a catalyst, and showing the way forward," he said.

"China is a very important country. When it decides to go in a certain direction, a lot of people will follow. It's a leadership role," he added.

While wishing the Chinese people a happy lunar Year of the Rooster, he reminded that China's well being has a direct impact on people around the world.

"If things go well for China and the Chinese people, the chances are it's going to go well for a lot of other people around the planet....I wish that the year of the rooster will indeed bring good luck for everybody, especially for China and its people," he said.

On Jan. 15-18, President Xi paid a state visit to Switzerland, attended the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos and visited international organizations based in Switzerland. Endi