The People’s Republic of China

Positions for the Group of 77 (G-77)
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I. Examining International Terrorism: Developing a Joint Proposal for Counter-Terrorism Efforts

The People’s Republic of China recognizes the need for the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach with cooperative measures in a multi-faceted method to combat global terrorism. The world has experienced decades of pointless terrorist attacks--in particular, the tragic loss of life on September 11th, 2001 in The United States. As proven throughout history, force alone cannot fundamentally resolve disputes and conflicts, and the national concept of security based on the use of force and the threat to use force can hardly bring about lasting peace in today’s world. Against this backdrop, an intensive cooperative security measure featuring dialogue and cooperation has emerged as the new global agenda.
China’s security concept seeks common security against terrorism threats in developing nations through mutually-beneficial cooperation established through international cooperation against the use of terrorism. Terrorism is a result of complex array of political, economic, and social factors which cannot be resolved by military force alone. Only through strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between nations throughout the world can a fundamental approach to common security be achieved. Estimations show that global terrorist attacks had a significant limiting effect on growth within Nations. Attacks can potentially affect economic growth through a number of channels and can increase uncertainty, limiting investments and diverts foreign direct investment (FDI). For developing countries, FDI is an important source of saving to fund investment. This can lead to government expenditures on defensive actions and proactive measures to capture terrorists and assets. Increased spending on security can crowd out more growth-enhancing public and private investments. China stands behind its efforts to combat Terrorism throughout the global arena with combined efforts in the international community.
Internationally, China endorsed UN Security Council Resolution No. 1373 in order to cease the financing of terrorism and improving international cooperation in combating terrorism. Through ratification of this resolution a collective of nations decided that “States should prohibit their nationals or persons or entities in their territories from making funds, financial assets, economic resources, financial or other related services […]. States should also refrain from providing any form of support to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts […]. States should also ensure that anyone who has participated in the financing, planning, preparation or perpetration of terrorist acts or in supporting terrorist acts is brought to justice.” China is calling for the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach with political, economic and diplomatic means to combat terrorism, which is a threat to global peace and security. Nations need to conduct their counter-terrorism efforts by combining them through both economic growth and proper settlement of regional conflict. There must be further dialogue between different civilizations, religions, and ethnic groups in order to promote mutual understanding, tolerance, and harmonious coexistence. The UN and the Security Council are the main channels of cooperation and China supports the importance of this role in coordinating national efforts and shaping the global response through the continued effort of pushing relevant resolutions and fully implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism strategy. China will provide material assistance and training to support the counter-terrorism efforts of developing nations.
Regionally, China has pushed the collective effort against terrorism with its neighbors. The defining feature of China’s international discussions on its security measures is a comprehensive approach with talk of a long‐term security strategy. With the adoption of the “New Security concept” (NSC), the bettering of relations with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the formation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); China has set the stage for assisting the international community against terrorism. In order to facilitate the cooperation between China and its neighbor nations, a Declaration on Joint Action to Counter-Terrorism was adopted and together, ASEAN and China continue to redefine and reengage the terrorism agenda. In January 2004, the Chinese government along with ASEAN issued a Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in the field of non-traditional security issues and agreeing to cooperative measures. In January, during the 12th ASEAN Summit, on the first day of the summit, ASEAN signed five agreements including the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT). China continues to stand by its Good Neighbor Policy with endorsement of material and economic aid to those countries requesting assistance in their counter-terrorism efforts. China believes cooperative security transcends traditional inter-state military conflict against terrorism networks and it also avoids the heightened threat perceptions caused by targeting specific adversaries.

II. Increasing Economic Ties and Reducing Poverty through Strengthened Regional Cooperation.

Cooperation amongst developing nations is increasing in both frequency and complexity which encompasses not only economic cooperation but also areas of health, education, communication, research, and developmental issues. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated, “Cooperation among developing countries plays an essential role in advancing development worldwide…and offers real, concrete solutions….” Through South-South cooperation (SSC) relationships, nations are brought together by common challenges to find innovative solutions to development issues. China believes this can be accomplished by an exchange of knowledge, experience, technology, and information among developing countries through political, socio-economic, and technical networks.
China fully supports increase of economic ties between SSC members to reduce poverty through strengthened regional cooperation. The members should not focus solely on transferring products through trade but on capacity development, allowing for broader choice of support, leading to horizontal partnerships. Regional partnership creation allows the nations immense value for money. The cost effectiveness comes from cooperative efforts drawing on regional and national resources. Given the scarce resources and domestic relations, the SSC is aligned closer to its priorities and needs. Since recipient and provider share similar developmental challenges, this allows incredible adaptability and by cooperating, member states provide highly relevant solutions through technological achievements and cultural understanding. This effort allows diversification in knowledge and expertise beyond current simple industrialized models, therefore initiating a successful tactic toward economic prosperity. China, along with Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa (BRICS), already helped shape the SSC through economic innovations and public employment programs reducing poverty. During the fifth summit in March 2013, members discussed measures not only strengthening financial stability throughout BRICS but strengthening total global financial safety net. The economic growth within the last decade throughout BRICS is clearly evident to those who attribute in the trade market as China has moved its fellow members from low-skilled labor production to increasing domestic job opportunities for lower income families. With China’s participation, the SSC offers many economic achievements allowing the global South to rapidly expand its middle class. By doing so, China assists its’ neighbors in developing a stronger demand for increased liberties, equity, decent jobs, and services which are critical to the progress of humanity. The SSC has grown into a vital component of the global development fabric and while various international initiatives have contributed to successes of regional partnerships, there is none better to represent the future enterprises than the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). China agrees, with backing from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, that the best contribution to economic progress and poverty reduction within the SSC is through the rapidly approaching deadline of the MDGs. In June 2010, part of the high-level segments of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) met and exchanged ideas on how the international community can improve the impact of aid on development goals, especially the MDGs. The ECOSOC issued a report stressing how the need for enhanced cooperation is more important now than ever before.
China urges the UN, since one of the main objectives of SSC is reform of the international order and global economic system, the political component of SSC should at no time be ignored. SSC is primarily aimed at strengthening bilateral relations among the southern countries and providing our regional partners with tools that will help the South develop as well as increase its collective bargaining power. SSC creates solidarity among developing countries and aims to ensure national self-sufficiency whilst providing support to the South as it becomes part of the global economy. As the MDGs deadline of 2015 draws near, the importance of SSC increases.

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[ 1 ]. UN Resolution 1373 ratified in 2001
[ 2 ]. NSC was a major security agreement signed with Russia and other Central Asian states in 1997.
[ 3 ]. SCO was the first international organization that set counter-terrorism as a target with cooperation to fight against international terrorism, ethnic separation, and religious extremism.
[ 4 ]. ACCT contains provisions intended to ease prosecution and extradition of terrorism suspects. The convention also aims to strengthen the region’s law enforcement against terrorism and its entry into force demonstrates compliance with all relevant UN conventions and protocols pertaining to counter-terrorism
[ 5 ]. “Enhanced SSC can boost achievements.” 12 Sept 2013. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45827&Cr=mdg&Cr1=#.UlFbAPLD-P9
[ 6 ]. “Fifth BRICS Summit: Durban, South Africa 26-27 March 2013.” Fifth BRICS Summit. http://www.brics5.co.za/
[ 7 ]. MDGs set specific targets on poverty alleviation, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, HIV/AIDS and malaria reduction, and a global partnership for development.
[ 8 ]. ST/ESA/326. Development Cooperation for the MDGs: Maximizing Results. UN Department of ECOSOC Affairs. 2010. http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/julyhls/pdf10/10-45690_(e)(desa)development_cooperation_for_the_mdgs_max_results.pdf