In response to a Global Times reporter's question at a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on Friday in Beijing that some believe that the current international order is facing its most dangerous moment since WWII, with the role and authority of the UN being undermined, how the situation can be addressed and what role China will play, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the more complex the problems, the greater the need to accentuate the important status of the UN; the more pressing the challenges, the greater the need to uphold the due authority of the UN.

To prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle, it's imperative to cement the cornerstone of sovereign equality, uphold the principle of fairness and justice, observe multilateralism and strengthen the authority of the international rule of law, Wang said. China will come forward to be a pillar of the multilateral system, and speak up for justice for the Global South, Wang added.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the UN. Around the end of WWII, the most important decision the international community made was to establish the UN and make it the primary platform for maintaining world peace and promoting global governance. Facts have shown that the U.N. has withstood tests and has been instrumental, Wang said.

Today there have been fundamental changes in the world situation. Unilateralism is on the rise, and power politics run rampant. Some countries have voiced scepticism of one kind or another about the UN. But China believes that the more complex the problems, the greater the need to accentuate the important status of the UN; the more pressing the challenges, the greater the need to uphold the due authority of the UN, Wang noted.

All countries want to prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. To this end, the first thing to do is to cement the cornerstone of sovereign equality. Those with stronger arms and bigger fists should not be allowed to call the shots, Wang said.

Second, the principle of fairness and justice must be upheld. International affairs must not be monopolized by a small number of countries, Wang said.

Third, multilateralism must be observed. We should follow the principles of consultation, joint building, and shared benefits, replacing group confrontation with inclusive cooperation. Countries should shatter small circles with greater solidarity.

Fourth, the authority of the international rule of law must be strengthened. Major countries in particular should take the lead in upholding integrity. Still less should they resort to bullying, monopoly, trickery or extortion.

China is a founder and beneficiary of the post-WWII international order. Naturally, we are an advocate and builder of it as well. We have no intention to start all over again, nor do we support any country's attempt to overturn the current order, Wang noted.

China is well aware of its international responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It will firmly safeguard the central role of the UN, come forward to be a pillar of the multilateral system, and speak up for justice for the Global South, Wang said.

Last month, China presided over a high-level meeting in the UN Security Council on the theme of "Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance."

More than 100 countries enthusiastically signed up to participate, marking the beginning of the activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, Wang noted.

China is ready to work with all sides to reflect on the founding vision of the UN, observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a more just and equitable global governance system, Wang said.