Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock. The meeting took place during Baerbock’s two-day visit to China, scheduled for April 29-30 at Wang’s invitation.
According to China Daily, Wang said during the meeting that amid growing global instability and conflicts, it is necessary to “support, revitalize and strengthen” the United Nations. He added that the international system must not allow the emergence of a “law of the jungle”, where power determines the rules.
In the same statement, Wang also referred to UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, saying that Beijing opposes steps that, in its view, undermine the authority of the resolution. Beijing uses the resolution as a diplomatic argument in relation to the Taiwan issue and the “One China” principle.
The European Union considers this interpretation of the resolution disputed. According to Brussels, Resolution 2758 only changed China’s representation at the United Nations and does not determine Taiwan’s status. The EU views the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait as a matter of strategic importance for regional and global security.
Baerbock, for her part, said that the UN’s 80 years of experience show that no country, including major powers, can address today’s global challenges on its own.
The meeting was preceded by Baerbock’s visit to India, where she spoke about the importance of upholding the UN Charter and international law. Anadolu reported that during a press conference in New Delhi, Baerbock said one of her main priorities is the protection of the UN Charter and international law, especially as crises around the world intensify.
The meeting is also noteworthy given that Baerbock, during her tenure as Germany’s foreign minister, was often critical of Beijing. According to Reuters, she accused China of supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine and said Beijing’s conduct ran counter to Europe’s security interests.
In this context, the meeting between Baerbock and Wang should not be viewed merely as a protocol diplomatic engagement. It reflects Beijing’s effort to strengthen its role around the themes of the UN and multilateralism, while Baerbock’s agenda is linked to UN reform, the defense of international law, and improving the organization’s ability to respond effectively to global crises.
