UPDATES WITH MORE COMMENTS FROM NEWS CONFERENCE
By Riyaz ul Khaliq and Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - China Wednesday pushed back on idea US President Donald Trump’s “board of peace” might replace the UN, stressing central role of the world body in international affairs.
“As for the UN, China has always practiced true multilateralism. No matter how the international situation changes, China firmly upholds the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.
Guo was replying to questions on Trump’s statement that the UN should continue to exist, but suggesting the “board of peace” might replace the world body, according to Beijing-based daily Global Times.
Last week on Friday, the White House announced the formation of the board to “play an essential role in fulfilling” the 20 points of Trump’s plan to permanently end Israel's war on Gaza and rebuild the enclave, as well as “providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.”
“The UN just hasn't been very helpful. I am a big fan of the UN potential but it has never lived up to its potential,” Trump told reporters Tuesday at a White House briefing, when asked if he wants his board of peace to replace the UN.
“I believe you got to let the UN continue because the potential is so great,” he added.
When asked whether he wants his board of peace to replace the UN, Trump replied: “well, it might.”
Trump said the UN should have “settled every one of the wars that I settled.”
The US president has credited efforts of his administration, over the past year, to halt hostilities between nations including Thailand, Cambodia, India, Pakistan as well as in Africa.
Under the board of peace, the US also formed the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to implement phase two of Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, a founding Executive Board, and a Gaza Executive Board to support the transitional framework.
Trump has invited many foreign leaders and several nations to join the board, including Russia and China.
- Beijing 'adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace,' says Foreign Ministry spokesperson
"China consistently adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday during a regular news conference, in answer to a question whether Beijing welcomes "the 'chaos' said to have been caused by the Trump administration in the West."
"On the basis of mutual respect and equality, we engage in friendly exchanges with all countries and are always committed to being a positive, stabilizing and constructive force. We have no intention, nor will we, compete with any country for influence," he said, according to the state-run daily Global Times.
Guo also said that Asia is "widely recognized as a high ground of global development and prosperity," in a world "marked by intertwined turmoil," while answering a question regarding Asian security, and whether China would step up efforts to promote an Asian security model.
"This favorable situation has not come easily and deserves to be cherished," he said, emphasizing importance of upholding UN Charter, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
He also refused to comment on a question asking for advice to European countries on "how to deal with US tariff threat over Greenland."
"As for China-Europe relations, China has always upheld the principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and is committed to advancing mutually beneficial and win-win relations with European countries," Guo said.