China‘s Xi Jinping urges Brazil’s Lula to uphold the UN’s central role, as both express scepticism over Trump‘s proposed “Board of Peace”.
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for protecting the “central role” of the United Nations in international affairs.
In a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday, Xi urged joint efforts to safeguard international norms, state media reported.
The discussion follows US President Donald Trump‘s unveiling of a new “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum.
Although originally framed for Gaza’s reconstruction, the board’s charter is not limited to that territory, raising concerns it aims to rival the UN.
Both China and Brazil have been invited to join the new grouping but have not confirmed participation.
Xi told Lula that in the current “tumultuous” international situation, both nations “are constructive forces in maintaining world peace and stability”.
“They should stand firmly on the right side of history… and jointly uphold the central role of the United Nations and international fairness and justice,” Xi said.
European leaders have also expressed doubts over Trump‘s proposal, viewing it as an attempt to potentially sideline the UN.
Trump stated in Davos that the board “can do pretty much whatever we want”, while adding it would work “in conjunction with the United Nations”.
China‘s foreign ministry reiterated on Wednesday that it “firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core”.
Brazil has similarly expressed scepticism, suggesting the board could represent “a revocation” of the UN.
Lula’s special advisor Celso Amorim said “we cannot consider a reform of the UN made by one country.”
During Trump’s global tariff actions last year, China and Brazil positioned themselves as defenders of the multilateral trading system.
Xi told Lula in August they could set an example of “self-reliance” for emerging powers.
China engages with the UN as a permanent Security Council member, despite objecting to what it calls internal interference.
Advocacy groups have accused China of seeking to undermine the UN by reducing rights budget contributions and blocking activists.
