Activities of Secretary-General in China, 6-10 July
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Madam Ban Soon-taek arrived in Beijing from New York on the evening of 6 July.
On the morning of Thursday, 7 July, the Secretary-General met with the United Nations country team in China. He was briefed by key members of the team on United Nations system activities in China and the group discussed the status of the United Nations-China relationship.
The Secretary-General then visited the China Helicopter Centre for Peacekeeping. He exchanged views with the leadership of the Centre and was briefed on the status of preparations for the Centre’s deployment of crews and equipment to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
In the afternoon, the Secretary-General met with the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi. The two discussed China’s support for, and strong relations with, the United Nations. They also shared views on regional and global peace and security issues, sustainable development and climate change. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister following the meeting, the Secretary-General reiterated his appreciation for China’s commitment to the United Nations, and touched on China’s support for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals, China’s economic transformation and human rights.
The Secretary-General then addressed the tenth Anniversary Commemorative Meeting of the Adoption of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (See Press Release SG/SM/17909.)
Prior to his address, the Secretary-General met with Wang Yong, State Councillor of China. Their conversation focused on the importance of inclusiveness in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Following the event, the Secretary-General participated in a wide-ranging interview with the Beijing Review.
That evening, the Secretary-General met with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping. The Secretary-General thanked the President for his strong commitment to the United Nations, including his important contributions to the high-level meetings around the seventieth general debate. The two also shared views on peace and security matters, sustainable development and climate change.
On Friday, 8 July, following a visit to the Beijing Red Cross Emergency Centre, the Secretary-General held a meeting with Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of China. The Secretary-General and Councillor Yang discussed global and regional concerns, ranging from response to health crises, development in Africa and the threat of extremism and terrorism.
The Secretary-General then addressed a lunch gathering of the conference “Global Chinese Philanthropies and the Global Development Agenda”, hosted by the Committee of 100. The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of partnership and philanthropy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. (See Press Release SG/SM/17910.)
After touring the Phoenix Satellite Television Headquarters, the Secretary-General visited the United Nations offices in Beijing and spoke to a gathering of China-based United Nations system staff. While at the offices, the Secretary-General was interviewed by China Central Television. The interview covered numerous issues, with a focus on the Secretary-General’s tenure as head of the United Nations.
In the evening, the Secretary-General met with Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of China. The two talked about China’s upcoming hosting of the G20 in September, Premier Li’s expected participation in the seventy-first general debate and high-level sessions at the United Nations, China’s emphasis on South-South Cooperation and the importance of China’s support for the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The Secretary-General travelled to Hangzhou following the meeting.
On the morning of Saturday, 9 July, after meeting with the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, the Secretary-General spoke at the inaugural Xin Philanthropy Conference. Addressing the gathering of China’s philanthropic, cultural and business leaders, he called on the group to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through partnership at the local and global level. (See Press Release SG/SM/17915.)
From the Conference, the Secretary-General went to the International Centre for Small Hydro Power. At the Centre, he addressed and met with staff of this United Nations-Chinese Government partnership. In the afternoon, the Secretary-General visited the facilities and campus of Alibaba and met with Alibaba Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma.
That night, the Secretary-General met with Zhao Yide, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC of Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Hangzhou Committee. The Secretary-General exchanged views on the importance of provincial and local government in implementing the sustainable development agenda.
On Sunday morning, 10 July, the Secretary-General travelled from Hangzhou to Suzhou to visit the Suzhou Industrial Park and meet with Zhang Lei, Deputy Governor of Jiangsu Province. In conversation with Mr. Zhang, the Secretary‑General emphasized the importance of assuring that economic growth is coupled with consideration of sustainable development and climate change impacts.
From Suzhou, the Secretary-General travelled to Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport for departure to New York, where he arrived on the same day.