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China's contribution to world peace and sustainable development has been praised by the outgoing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
He was speaking during an exclusive interview with China Central Television days before he leaves office at the end of 2016.
Bank Ki-moon said China had risen to become one of the two most important economies in the world, alongside the United States, to which the world looked for leadership.
"The United States is, by far, the strongest and richest country, but in the 21st century, we have seen many important countries, which have been emerging as very important actors in this world. China is one of the most important examples. China used to be a very poor country and there were many poor people. But with strong leadership, and socio-economic development, China has risen now to what they call the G-2 economies or countries. Worldwide many people are looking to China, and China has been demonstrating their global leadership, not only in politics, but in terms of south-south cooperation. We are very grateful for the Chinese leadership led by President Xi Jinping that has been demonstrating their global leadership, engaging actively and constructively for world peace and sustainable development. That's what we expect from China," said Ban.
Ban said China's move to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change "remarkable" and "dramatic." He also praised China as the largest peacekeeper provider among the permanent members of the Security Council, with 2,600 soldiers deployed and a stand-by peacekeeping force of 8,000 ready for future deployment.
"In such a case, I think China will be the largest contributing country to peacekeeping operations. Their leadership, strong commitment in addressing climate change phenomenon has been remarkable and most appreciated by the international community. When President Xi Jinping and President Obama have submitted to me in person the instrument of ratification of Paris Agreement on Climate Change, it was a very dramatic point when the world leaders were able to accelerate their process of ratifying this process," Ban Ki-Moon added.
Ban was elected to be the eighth UN Secretary-General in 2006. He will be succeeded by Portuguese diplomat António Guterres.
(CRI ONLINE)
