China's Vice President Han Zheng told the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday that "the world wants peace not war," urging nations to defend the postwar international order and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than unilateral military action.
Addressing the general debate of the Assembly's 81st session, Han said the international system centered on the United Nations — and the international law that emerged after World War II — "must be upheld." He called on states to settle differences through dialogue and consultation, and to oppose "unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter and circumvent Security Council authorization."
"Major countries shoulder special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security, and they should take the lead in complying with the rules, upholding the rule of law and doing what's right," he said.
Han laid out Beijing's positions across the major flashpoints. On the Middle East, he said the sovereignty and security of regional states, including in the Gulf, should be respected, and called for reconstruction in Gaza to proceed "in accordance with the principle of the Palestinians governing Palestine," alongside a return to the two-state solution. On Ukraine, he pointed to the "four points" put forward by President Xi Jinping as the fundamental guidance for China's continued role in pursuing a political settlement. He also called for an immediate end to the blockade and sanctions against Cuba.
Development was the through-line of the speech. Han called for a global partnership "based on unity and equality, and that is balanced and inclusive," with priority given to poverty reduction, food security and energy transition — and said developed countries should honor their financing and climate finance commitments.
Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, struck a similar chord in his own Saturday address, criticizing the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, calling the killing of Iran's supreme leader unacceptable, and — like Han — opposing the U.S. energy blockade of Cuba. Lavrov also pressed for stability in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that airstrikes there were damaging global navigation and trade.
Sources: [UN News: 'Safeguard the postwar order,' China tells UN General Assembly](https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/09/1168456) | [Washington Examiner: Russia and China unite against US over Iran and Cuba in UN speeches](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4744152/russia-china-unite-iran-cuba-un-speech/)
Addressing the general debate of the Assembly's 81st session, Han said the international system centered on the United Nations — and the international law that emerged after World War II — "must be upheld." He called on states to settle differences through dialogue and consultation, and to oppose "unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter and circumvent Security Council authorization."
"Major countries shoulder special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security, and they should take the lead in complying with the rules, upholding the rule of law and doing what's right," he said.
Han laid out Beijing's positions across the major flashpoints. On the Middle East, he said the sovereignty and security of regional states, including in the Gulf, should be respected, and called for reconstruction in Gaza to proceed "in accordance with the principle of the Palestinians governing Palestine," alongside a return to the two-state solution. On Ukraine, he pointed to the "four points" put forward by President Xi Jinping as the fundamental guidance for China's continued role in pursuing a political settlement. He also called for an immediate end to the blockade and sanctions against Cuba.
Development was the through-line of the speech. Han called for a global partnership "based on unity and equality, and that is balanced and inclusive," with priority given to poverty reduction, food security and energy transition — and said developed countries should honor their financing and climate finance commitments.
Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, struck a similar chord in his own Saturday address, criticizing the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, calling the killing of Iran's supreme leader unacceptable, and — like Han — opposing the U.S. energy blockade of Cuba. Lavrov also pressed for stability in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that airstrikes there were damaging global navigation and trade.
Sources: [UN News: 'Safeguard the postwar order,' China tells UN General Assembly](https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/09/1168456) | [Washington Examiner: Russia and China unite against US over Iran and Cuba in UN speeches](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4744152/russia-china-unite-iran-cuba-un-speech/)
