2/25/2015

Chinas Vision for Modernizing the UN | The Diplomat

China's Vision for Modernizing the UN

By Shannon Tiezzi
February 25, 2015

February is Chinas month to hold the presidency of the United

Nations Security Council, a post that rotates monthly among all 15
members (making it a semi-annual position, last held by China in
November 2013). Yet China had some lofty goals for this particular
stint as president. In particular, China used its position to host a larger
debate about the future of the United Nations, and international
relations more generally, in the 21st century.

Image Credit: UN General Assembly Hall image via

Songquan Deng / Shutterstock.com

Upon taking over the presidency, China presented a concept paper for
a debate that would focus on reconfirming each states commitment to
the U.N. Charter. The discussion was also intended as a way to kick off the commemoration of the U.N.s 70th anniversary and
the victory won in the war against fascism. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the debate, which took place Monday.
Wangs statements at the debate emphasized Chinas view for how the U.N. should function an important point, as China is
determined to revamp international institutions to be more reflective of the 21st century (which, in part, would involve more
influence for China and other developing powers). In accordance with that vision, Wang called for adding new dimensions to
the U.N. Charter to bring to it new dynamism and vitality.
Wang also used the floor to argue for Chinas vision of international relations, which centers on respect for each countrys
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity as well as their choice of development path and social system. He
warned against countries acting unilaterally or going outside the U.N. to impose their will on others. We should make sure
that justice, not hegemony, will prevail in the world, Wang said.
While every speaker at the debate confirmed their commitment to the U.N. charter, the debate revealed a fundamental
disagreement over how that document is interpreted.
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2/25/2015

Chinas Vision for Modernizing the UN | The Diplomat

The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, focused not on the rights of states but the rights of people in her
contribution to the debate. To recommit ourselves to the Purposes and Principles [of the United Nations] is to recommit
ourselves to these people individuals in every one of our states whose basic dignity the Charter is meant to defend and
uphold, Power said. She later tweeted about the limits of non-interference: Much talk of sovereignty today. Too often govts
use it as a shield behind which they commit atrocitiesWW2&Rwanda show peril of looking away.
Powers tweet echoed the remarks made during the debate by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. While Ban said that
sovereignty remains a bedrock of international order, he added that in todays world, the less sovereignty is viewed as a
wall or a shield, the better our prospects will be for protecting people and solving our shared problems.
That view, that the principle of non-interference has limits, is widely shared among the Western countries, including the U.S.
Its far from universal, however. In addition to China, Russia also spoke disparagingly of certain states overstepping the
bounds of the Security Council mandate to pressure other states, including through the threat of regime change.
The role of U.N. in dealing with states internal issues (notably human rights violations) has been hotly debated for decades.
Whats new is that China, in keeping with its growing self-confidence on the world stage, is becoming more assertive about
insisting upon its interpretation of the U.N. Charter. That includes hosting debates that provide an open stage for China to give
its arguments; it also includes making use of Chinas Security Council veto rather than simply abstaining. Since 2011, China
has issued four vetoes (all on the Syria question, and all done jointly with Russia). Thats only one less than the five total
vetoes Beijing used in the 40-year period from 1971 (when the PRC gained Chinas seat on the Security Council) to 2010.
Beijing has decided this years 70th anniversary is a good time not only to celebrate the U.N., but to reflect on ways the body
can be reformed. It seems unlikely, however, that any reforms can make it through the current deadlock, as member states
are divided on the fundamental issue of where the United Nations authority ends.

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