CIDCA vice-chairman attends 2020 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation celebration

Zhang Maoyu, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, delivers a speech at the 2020 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation celebration on Sept 22. [Photo/CIDCA]

Zhang Maoyu, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), attended the 2020 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation celebration and delivered a keynote speech on Sept 22.

Zhang said that the world is facing severe challenges posed by COVID-19. Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China has carried out the most intensive and wide-ranging emergency humanitarian operation within the framework of South-South cooperation since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

China will actively implement the major measures it has announced about supporting the global fight against COVID-19 and strengthen cooperation with international organizations to help other developing countries cope with the pandemic, promote the building of a community of health for all and advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, added Zhang.

Zhang stressed that in face of the pandemic most developing countries have stood together and helped each other. Their response fully demonstrates the spirit of South-South cooperation and global solidarity and injects strong impetus into it. China is willing to continue strengthening unity and coordination with relevant countries and international organizations to jointly fight the virus, firmly safeguard multilateralism, implement due responsibilities and make contribution to global development.

China calls on developed countries and developing countries to fulfill their common but differentiated responsibilities, and stands ready to work with other developing countries in promoting the development of South-South cooperation at a higher level, wider range and in more extensive areas so as to contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind and the development of human causes, said Zhang.

The celebration, themed on strengthening South-South cooperation and promoting implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development against the COVID-19 background, was hosted by the United Nations system in China.

Chinese officials from relevant departments, ambassadors to China of relevant countries, officials of UN agencies in China and representatives from think tanks also attended the celebration.

Zhang met with Babatunde Ahonsi, UN resident coordinator in China, before the meeting. They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation and communication between the two sides.