China's Li Qiang uses UN debut to frame Beijing as defender of world order

LI QIANG, China's premier, used his first major address on the world stage to frame Beijing as a defender of the global order amid rising concerns about unilateral action and a self-styled great-power competition. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Li Stated that unilateralism and a Cold War mentality were resurfacing and warned that if the era of the law of the jungle returns, the world would face greater division, bloodshed, and brutality. His remarks did not include major policy announcements, a characteristic pattern for China at the U.N. in recent years, but they offered a broad, sweeping defense of multilateralism and a critique of forceful power politics.

The premier, 66, is widely viewed as the second-most powerful figure in the Chinese government after President Xi Jinping. His appearance at the United Nations has been billed as a key moment in his ascent on the world stage since he was elevated to the premiership more than two years ago. While Xi has addressed the U.N. in the past, often through video, Li’s presence marked a notable shift in emphasis toward the economy and governance as a global overture. In his remarks, Li cast China as a guardian of the international order amid what he framed as growing chaos in global politics, including concerns about unilateral Western actions in trade and security matters.

“Unilateralism and Cold War mentality are resurfacing,” Li said. “History keeps reminding us that when might dictates right, the world risks division and regression. Should the era of the law of the jungle return and the weak be left as prey to the strong, human society would face even more bloodshed and brutality.” The speech touched on the United States as a central factor in the current tense climate, though Li did not name his country in those sentences. China and the United States remain the two largest economies and powers shaping global affairs, with tensions over topics ranging from tariffs and technology to Taiwan and human rights continuing to influence bilateral relations.

Li’s references to multilateralism were in line with Beijing’s long-standing foreign policy emphasis on international cooperation and the United Nations as a counterbalance to what it characterizes as U.S. hegemony and arrogance. Yet his speech also reflected the careful balance China seeks to maintain: vocal support for global norms and the rule of law, paired with a readiness to defend its own sovereignty and interests as it rises as a global power. The premier’s remarks arrived at a moment when Washington and Beijing are exploring paths to stabilize ties, including expectations of a potential meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea next month, though no formal schedule had been announced at the time.

Li’s domestic role and his close alignment with Xi are key to understanding the tone of the speech. Unlike some of his predecessors who kept a tighter rein on public messaging at the U.N., Li often oversees China’s economy and is considered a loyalist within the Chinese leadership. His presentation at the U.N. stands in contrast to a more economically focused, procedural address he gave earlier this year at China’s National People’s Congress, highlighting a broader, more philosophically oriented framing of China’s place in the world. The premier’s emphasis on shared humanity, peace, and development — paired with references to “the tide of history” and the “great way” — carried a distinctly cultural cadence that underscored Beijing’s aim to project soft power alongside hard political and economic influence.

The speech also highlighted a recurring theme in China’s diplomacy: multilateralism as a tool to advance its interests rather than a universal ideal. Beijing has long argued that global governance should be more inclusive and that sovereignty and non-interference are essential to peaceful coexistence. At the same time, critics note that China uses multilateral forums to push back against Western norms and to present itself as a stabilizing force in a world of competing powers. The domestic record, however, remains at odds with the international rhetoric. Beijing’s policies have drawn widespread international criticism over Xinjiang, where Uighur Muslims have faced systematic repression, and over Hong Kong’s political freedoms, as well as other human rights concerns.

Xi Jinping’s leadership has in recent years promoted a more assertive foreign policy while maintaining a façade of restrained rhetoric abroad. Li’s UN appearance is often read as signaling continuity within that framework: a commitment to stability and economic development amid a shifting global order, and a warning that unilateral moves by any major power threaten that order. The absence of explicit policy shifts in Li’s remarks was notable; observers said it reinforced the traditional Chinese stance of engaging global institutions rather than announcing new foreign policies at the United Nations.

Two words did not appear in Li’s remarks: the United States. That omission, in itself, was interpreted by some diplomats as a deliberate diplomatic choice — a sign that China intends to frame the U.N. stage as a forum for broad, principled argument about order and development rather than a direct confrontation with any single state. It also reflected the nuanced line Beijing often tries to walk: denouncing what it sees as coercive, unilateral behavior while avoiding a direct, sustained attack on Washington on a global platform.

The broader context for Li’s appearance is a set of ongoing tensions between Beijing and Washington, including disputes over technology, trade, and regional security. The two countries have been maneuvering to reset relations after a period of sharp disagreements that included tariff hikes and threats of further restrictions. In recent months, both sides have signaled intentions to re-engage, with anticipated discussions around tariffs and other disputes as the two leaders consider meeting in the near future. Li’s speech thus functioned not only as an intra-Chinese display of leadership on the international stage but also as a signal to the United States and to other major powers about China’s preferred frame for global governance going forward.

China’s approach to the United Nations and to multilateral forums has long been to advocate for consensus-building, balanced development, and sovereignty. Yet Beijing, as it rises, often uses these platforms to push back against Western-driven norms and to advance its own interpretations of what constitutes global stability. In Li’s framing, a peaceful and inclusive world order requires respect for sovereign equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in domestic affairs, even as Beijing asserts its own vision for global governance and development initiatives. This dual posture — advocating for multilateral collaboration while pursuing national interests with increasing confidence — reflects the overarching strategic calculus as China navigates a period of heightened competition with the United States.

Analysts noted that Li’s UN debut underscored the continued centrality of the United Nations in China’s foreign policy toolkit. The organization is seen by Beijing as a counterweight to perceived U.S. dominance, and Li’s visit reinforced the image of a China ready to participate in global governance on its own terms. Whether this rhetoric translates into tangible policy changes remains to be seen, particularly as the United States and China pursue a careful, calibrated path toward dialogue in the coming months. For now, Li’s address signals Beijing’s intent to project a unified, dignified international voice that aligns with Xi Jinping’s broader objectives of modernizing China’s economy, elevating its national prestige, and shaping the rules of the road for a multipolar world.