As a founding member of the United Nations (UN), a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the largest developing country in the world, China will continue to maintain the international system with the UN as its core, Premier Li Keqiang said on June 17.

Premier Li made the statement while meeting with United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, who is visiting China from June 17 to June 20 at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The Premier said China will continue to maintain international order and multilateralism based on international law, and fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations.

China is also willing to work with other countries to achieve lasting peace, development and prosperity, and build a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Over the past 70 years since its establishment, the UN has played an important role in maintaining world peace and promoting global development, Premier Li noted.

Commenting that the current international situation is complex with endless global challenges, the Premier stressed that all countries should handle world affairs through consultation.

We should jointly safeguard the status and role of the United Nations, uphold the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, safeguard international justice and fairness, work together to cope with challenges and achieve win-win cooperation, he said.

Espinosa for her part said since assuming the presidency of the UNGA, she has maintained good communication with China.

At present, multilateralism, peace and development, as important pillars of the UN, are facing serious challenges, she said, adding that she would like to work with all parties to safeguard multilateralism and international order and bring well-being to the peoples of the world.

While meeting with Espinosa on June 17, Wang Yi noted that the current international community faces challenges from unilateralism and protectionism. Various forms of hegemony and power politics have posed severe threats to the international order based on the UN Charter and international law.

The General Assembly is the most important platform for multilateralism, Wang said. He said he hoped that the general debate held at the upcoming General Assembly in September will adhere to the principle of multilateralism.

Espinosa told Wang that the United Nations is grateful to China for its support of multilateralism and its cooperation in UN in peacekeeping, sustainable development and many other fields.

She expressed the hope that China and the United Nations will continue to play an important role in upholding multilateralism.