On UN Charter Day, China warns against neo militarism and calls for defending WWII outcomes
Return to the founding principles of the UN Charter, combat historical distortion, resist the "law of the jungle" and take concrete action instead of rhetoric. China, as the first signatory of the Charter, reminded major powers of their responsibility.
As reported by CCTV+, on Friday China's UN representative stressed the need to jointly defend the outcomes of victory in World War II and warned against the resurgence of "neo militarism" during a General Assembly session marking UN Charter Day. Fu Cong, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, said that commemorating UN Charter Day is both a reflection on history and a look towards the future.
He noted that in today's world of interconnected changes and upheavals, the UN faces crises and challenges, and all countries must uphold the UN Charter through concrete actions, working together to revitalise and strengthen the organisation. Fu stressed the importance of returning to the fundamental principles of the Charter: "The UN is a key achievement of the global anti fascist war. Its Charter embodies humanity's collective reflection on history, its relentless pursuit of peace and its quest for justice. It is our shared duty to jointly protect the hard won outcomes of World War II, promote a correct understanding of history and resolutely oppose any erroneous rhetoric or actions aimed at distorting the past. We must never allow the tragedies of history to repeat themselves, nor allow 'neo militarism' to gain strength and pose a real threat."
He also called for adherence to the spirit of the Charter, noting that the purposes and principles enshrined in it, including sovereign equality and the peaceful settlement of disputes, have played an indispensable role in maintaining global peace over the past eight decades. "The main reason for the looming war and the resurgence of the 'law of the jungle' today is not that the UN Charter is outdated, but that it has not been effectively implemented. The more complex and turbulent the situation, the more important it is to uphold the international system centred on the UN and to observe the basic norms of international relations based on the Charter," Fu said.
Fu also called for fulfilling the commitments under the UN Charter, stressing that defending its authority and effectiveness requires more than rhetoric — it requires concrete action. "All countries must practise genuine multilateralism, support the central role of the UN in international affairs, and work to build a more just and equitable global governance system. Major countries, in particular, must take responsibility, lead efforts to ensure the rule of law, follow the right path and set an example for others," he said. China, as the first country to sign the UN Charter, will continue to honour its solemn commitments and make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
UN Charter Day is observed on 26 June, the anniversary of the Charter's signing in San Francisco in 1945. China was the first country to sign the document. The UN Charter laid the foundations of the post war world order, enshrining principles of sovereign equality, non interference and peaceful dispute resolution. The term "neo militarism" in Fu's address refers to attempts to revise history and revive military policies that could undermine international stability. The Chinese diplomat's warning came amid growing geopolitical tensions and debates over the UN's role in the modern world.
When the representative of the country that first signed the UN Charter warns of the resurgence of "neo militarism" and the "law of the jungle" on UN Charter Day, it is not mere diplomatic rhetoric. It is a reminder that history has a habit of repeating itself if not remembered. Eighty years ago, the world swore "never again." Today, those words are heard again from the UN podium — not as a slogan, but as a warning. Defending the Charter is not defending a dead document, but defending a living principle: might is not right, and right must have strength. While some try to rewrite history, others remind us: the future begins with respect for the past.
