China defends UN’s role amid Trump criticism, calls it 'irreplaceable' for global peace

China defended the United Nations, describing the world body as having played an "irreplaceable role" in maintaining global peace and security, countering US President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of the institution.

Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun highlighted the UN’s contributions over the past eight decades. “Over the past 80 years, the UN has played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding international peace and security and promoting global development,” he said.

Guo stressed the importance of upholding the UN’s authority in today’s turbulent world. “China always believes that in a world as turbulent as ours, it is all the more important to uphold and defend the authority of the UN,” he added. His remarks came in direct response to Trump’s address at the UN General Assembly in New York, where the US president criticised the organisation as failing to meet its potential.

“It is not even coming close to living up to that potential,” Trump said. He accused the UN of offering “empty words” that fail to resolve conflicts, although he later expressed “100 per cent support” for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “For the most part, at least for now, all they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter and then never follow that letter. It's empty words and empty words don't solve wars,” Trump said.