China urges developed countries fulfill assistance commitments

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu addresses the UN high-level meeting on the challenges confronting middle-income countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the UN headquarters in New York, Dec. 4, 2018. Ma Zhaoxu on Tuesday called on developed countries to fulfill their commitment to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program and create a favorable environment for developing countries, including middle-income countries. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu on Tuesday called on developed countries to fulfill their commitment to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program and create a favorable environment for developing countries, including middle-income countries.

"At present, the international situation is complicated. Mounting unilateralism and protectionism have placed multilateralism and the role of the United Nations under attack and negatively affected the external environment of developing countries," said Ma, at the high-level meeting on gaps and impediments faced by middle-income countries trying to implement the goals set out by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Middle-income countries are also developing, and they "face challenges in poverty eradication, food security, addressing climate change challenges, infrastructure, and scientific and technological progress among others," he said.

The international community should work vigorously to give development issues greater prominence in a macro-policy framework, and developing countries must strengthen their unity to safeguard their common interests, said the Chinese envoy.

Ma said that China has long been a developing country, and "there will be no change in the direction in which China will work with other developing countries" regardless of how the international situation changes.

China is ready to work with other countries to deepen South-South cooperation, promote the Belt and Road Initiative and contribute to the prosperity of developing countries, as well as create a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.