China warns against Cold War mentality at UN assembly

In a recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the threat of returning to a 'Cold War mentality' and the detrimental effects of unilateralism on global stability. This speech, which took place in the United States, represented a significant moment for China as it sought to position itself as a defender of multilateralism and free trade amid rising tensions with the U.S. Li criticized the imposition of tariffs—specifically alluding to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies—as harmful to the global economy, suggesting that these protectionist measures are a key factor in the current economic stagnation worldwide. During his speech, Li cited various global challenges and asserted that peace and development are shared aspirations across nations. He called for greater solidarity among countries and condemned 'unscrupulous acts of hegemonism and bullying' without directly naming the U.S. or its policies. The backdrop to this address featured ongoing global conflicts, including Israel's conflict with Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both of which were mentioned in passing by Li as indicative of the fragile state of international relations. Li advocated for China's solutions to current global issues, offering what he described as 'China's wisdom', notably highlighting Xi Jinping's Global Governance Initiative. This initiative seeks to promote a new model of global governance based on Chinese principles, emphasizing multilateralism and the importance of sovereignty for all nations. His remarks underscored a desire for collaboration in overcoming economic hurdles and achieving global stability. By framing China's stance this way, Li aimed to counter criticisms of China’s policies and present the nation as a constructive player on the global stage. Finally, Li's assertions pointed to a broader concern among nations regarding the apparent erosion of the international order established post-World War II. He warned that a regression to the 'law of the jungle', where the powerful prey on the weak, could lead to increased violence and disorder. His speech was an attempt to rally countries around China's vision for a more balanced and cooperative global environment, a stark contrast to the rising unilateralism he blamed for recent global tensions.