On the occasion of the 74th United Nations (UN) Day, the UN celebrated its 40-year presence in China on Wednesday in Beijing. Around 800 participants from government agencies, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, the private sector, and media joined the event. 

Nicholas Rosellini, UN resident coordinator in China delivers a welcome speech. (Photo: Wu Mingyu/People's Daily app)

"Today, we are celebrating 40 years of UN presence in China. More than anything, the story of the UN's journey in China is one of change. It is a story about the remarkable transformation that has taken place in country over the past 40 years, and how the UN in China has evolved with it." Nicholas Rosellini, UN Resident Coordinator in China said in his welcome speech.

"Our focus in China today is to support China's efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and to make sure that 'no one is left behind' as China walks the last mile of poverty alleviation and shift the focus towards high-quality development," he said.

Wang Xiaolong, director general of the Department for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo: Wu Mingyu/People's Daily app)

Wang Xiaolong, director general of the Department for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs as representative of the Chinese government, delivered the keynote speech at the event. Wang stressed that China always supports and practices multilateralism and will continue to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core. 

Long Yongtu, former assistant minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (Photo: Wu Mingyu/People's Daily app)

Long Yongtu, former assistant minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation who was the first Chinese government official seconded to the UN in the 1980s, also shared the story of how the UN arrived in China, his work experience in the UN development system and his insights of how the partnership can achieve great success in pursuit of 2030 Agenda.

At the commemorative event, an interactive digital exhibition was on display, which highlighted key milestones of the work of UN China over the past 40 years.   

The first UN office was opened in 1979. Over the 40 years the UN in China has contributed to China's development through support in areas ranging from, humanitarian assistance, health and education, rural development, and industrialization. Along with China's remarkable development progress, the role of the UN has shifted from traditional donor providing assistance for basic needs, to a partner providing advanced policy support and sharing international experience.

October 24 has been celebrated as UN Day since 1948. It marks the anniversary of the UN Charter in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the UN officially came into being.