[Observer Network, Ruan Jiaqi]
Unexpectedly, Trump has once again made a significant move, withdrawing from the United Nations!
According to news reports on July 22nd, the United States has once again announced its withdrawal from the United Nations. In tandem with this announcement, speculation and concerns about “China seizing opportunities in the UN due to the power vacuum left by the US” have heated up.
The Financial Times reported that some Western officials and diplomats complained that since the Trump administration’s distancing from the United Nations and the significant reduction in foreign aid by the US, the UN is facing the deepest restructuring pressures in decades. This has led to an “obviously increased” Chinese action.
They claim that China is accelerating efforts to fill the power vacuum left by the US. The Swiss city of Geneva, known as the “global diplomatic kitchen,” is a focal point for China’s efforts. Chinese actions include expanding personnel deployment, forming voting alliances, providing financial support to consolidate positions in certain cases, and also strengthening its influence through nominations of officials and further advancing its agenda.
A senior Western official familiar with internal discussions at the United Nations stated that China is expanding its presence within the “multilateral world order institutions” and “is using this influence to gradually align itself with a worldview that suits it.”
Another European senior diplomat mentioned that in response to Trump’s often tough foreign policy towards countries including allies, China is positioning itself as an “honest mediator.” “They have many partners supporting them in Africa and the Indo-Pacific region, holding a large number of votes,” he said.
According to British media, EU officials are not content with this and are trying to replicate the role previously played by the US. Recent meetings in Geneva and Brussels have been held.
The diplomat’s words were full of arrogance: “For us Europeans, the key is to fill this vacuum, not letting it go to the Chinese.”
Recently, some European diplomats have been loudly promoting that China is particularly active in the institutional reorganization and reforms for the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, attempting to expand its influence on the UN and lobbying governments from the global south to support its reform proposals. Some even unjustly accused China of trying to “colonize” the United Nations.
On July 21st, Guo Jiaqin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to these accusations by stating that Secretary-General Guterres has proposed an 80th anniversary reform initiative for the UN, which China highly values. We support the UN to adapt to new circumstances and tasks, further consolidate commitments to multilateralism among all parties, improve operational efficiency through reforms, enhance its capacity to address global challenges, and play a more significant role in international affairs. The reforms should involve thorough consultation with member states, especially those from developing countries, to build a more just and reasonable global governance system.
Lv Xiaoyu, an assistant professor at Peking University’s School of International Relations, who once served at the United Nations, told The Financial Times that China supports “necessary and fair” institutional reforms based on the 80th anniversary initiative of the United Nations, advocating for “enhancing representation of global south countries, respecting national sovereignty, and establishing a multilateral order.”
He believes that with the reorganization and merger of institutional departments, China is expected to expand its influence in the field of international development. Moreover, as the second largest contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping operations, China may also secure more senior positions in related areas.
On April 14th, the celebration of the 2025 United Nations Chinese Day series of activities was grandly opened at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. More than 500 guests including heads of various international organizations, permanent representatives of various countries, senior diplomats, and international staff attended the event.
据英媒报道，中国长期以来一直寻求增强其在日内瓦的影响力，近十年来稳步扩大其在联合国机构的影响力，尤其是在与发展、科技和技术标准相关的机构。
在一名驻日内瓦的前联合国外交官看来，如今，中国在联合国体系内的运作方式已变得更为成熟。他说，“他们（中方）已练就了主导决议、适时让步与达成共识的（综合）能力，这让他们现在处于有利地位。”
有西方官员称，中国特别感兴趣的机构包括制定全球通信标准的国际电信联盟（ITU），以及世界卫生组织（WHO）。还有外交官称，联合国开发计划署对中国也具有战略重要性，因为它参与了与“一带一路”倡议相关的基础设施项目。
5月19日至27日，在特朗普威胁退出世卫组织的乌云中，第78届世界卫生大会在瑞士日内瓦万国宫举行。据人民日报报道，国务院副总理刘国中率团出席本届世卫大会。这是中国领导人时隔二十多年后再次线下出席世卫大会，展现了关键时刻中国对世卫组织和多边主义的坚定支持。
与此形成鲜明对比的，是并未注册参会的美国，仍强行要求插播其卫生部长视频发言，公然大放厥词，与国际社会合作加强全球卫生治理的努力背道而驰。
到了6月，中国还成功赢得了2027年世界无线电通信大会（WRC）的主办权，该会议是国际电信联盟最具影响力的论坛。英媒称，在美方最后时刻提出挑战的情况下，主办方最终确定举办地为上海。
“The competition for positions within the International Telecommunication Union remains a focal point of the US-China rivalry,” an EU official claimed. “The current Director General of ITU is American, but (the previous Director General) China has arranged close associates in high-level positions, mainly Africans.”
British media reports also mentioned that China attempts to promote the “Digital Silk Road” initiative through the International Telecommunication Union, aiming to enhance digital infrastructure in developing countries.
In response, the International Telecommunication Union stated that it “values the active participation and support of its 194 member states,” but added that it would not comment on “political affairs or elections” as these are “within the purview of the member states.”
The report highlighted that China’s relationship with the United Nations “Group of 77” also aided in shaping policy language and personnel appointments. China has targeted specific organizations for funding, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Oxford University political science professors noted that these funds often prioritize economic and development issues over civil rights and political issues.
This year, China’s representation at senior UN positions has also increased. Between May and June, Chinese citizens were appointed as UN resident coordinators in Botswana and Maldives. This position represents the highest representative of the UN in each country. China first secured such an appointment in 2020, initially in Namibia.
Last week, China received another senior position. On July 17th local time, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Cong Guang, a Chinese UN official, as Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, leading the UN’s peace and security efforts in the region.
In response to claims of “China making significant efforts to lobby for its interests,” the United Nations stated, “All member states will strive to exert influence within the United Nations in order to secure support for their objectives… This is a reality.”
The statement further added, “Regarding the appointments of Chinese officials to high-level positions within the United Nations, we expect all United Nations staff to act as international civil servants, not representatives of their respective national governments, and to maintain neutrality during their official duties.”