China's vice president stresses development and multilateralism at UN assembly
Vice President Han Zheng addressed the UN General Assembly, promoting development, multilateral cooperation and warning against protectionism, while omitting any direct reference to Taiwan.
China's vice president, Han Zheng, delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly emphasizing that worldwide stability depends on development and an open, cooperative international environment. He criticized protectionism, citing the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States, and called for dialogue over unilateral military actions. Han referenced China's Belt and Road programme, claiming cooperation with three-quarters of participating nations, and urged respect for sovereignty in the Middle East amid the U.S.-Iran conflict.
While he spoke about AI and multilateralism, he made no explicit mention of Taiwan, a notable omission given current geopolitical frictions. The appearance follows President Xi Jinping's state dinner with Donald Trump in Washington, and experts say the choice of speaker reflects routine diplomatic practice rather than a shift in policy.
How this was covered
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The speech outlines China's diplomatic priorities and signals its stance on trade, multilateralism, and regional tensions.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage highlights development, multilateralism and criticism of protectionism, while centrist coverage frames the speech as a sharp rebuke to the United States over Cuba and Iran; Right-leaning coverage treats the event as a minor part of a broader UN week focused on diplomatic talks and AI, largely ignoring the China-US tension.
LEFT
Frames the vice president’s speech as a push for development, multilateral cooperation and a critique of protectionist policies, noting the conspicuous lack of any mention of Taiwan.
CENTER
Frames the speech as a veiled but pointed challenge to the United States, emphasizing China’s call for the U.S. to respect Cuba and Iran and portraying the remarks as a sharp contrast to recent U.S.-China goodwill.
The left emphasises
- development and multilateralism are essential for global stability
- criticism of protectionism and U.S. tariff disputes
- omission of Taiwan in the speech
How this story developed
- Sep 14 Trump says United States remains open to talks with Iran to end war
- Sep 23 President Donald Trump described the US‑Iran talks as productive.
- Sep 23 Speaking before the United Nations, Masoud Pezeshkian presented images of attacks on Iranian civilians and condemned the United States for ignoring international law. He asserted that Iran's military is purely defensive and that the nation seeks only nuclear energy, not weapons. The American delegation walked out during his remarks. The speech followed a recent address by Donald Trump in which he threatened to eradicate Iran and expressed confidence in a future agreement after the US midterm elections.
- Sep 23 Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly takes a stance opposite to Donald Trump.
- Sep 23 Indirect negotiations between U.S. envoys and Iran’s foreign minister began in New York.
- Sep 24 Speaking at the United Nations, Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran will never bow to American pressure, even after Donald Trump warned of annihilating the Islamic Republic. He warned that sanctions and bullying would only strengthen Iranian resistance. Pezeshkian also criticized the United States and Israel for demanding limits on Iran’s nuclear program while Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons.
- Sep 24 Guterres delivered his final UN General Assembly address, warning of deepening technological and geopolitical divides.
- Sep 24 US and Iranian negotiators in New York are discussing a step-by-step plan that would see Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the United States ends its economic blockade, though both sides cling to leverage.
- Sep 25 President Pezeshkian linked the Strait of Hormuz dispute to U.S. sanctions and the naval blockade in his UN address.
- Sep 25 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York, the first Iranian head of state to set foot in the United States.
- Sep 25 President Donald Trump signaled interest in a deal before the midterm elections.
- Sep 26 Iran awaited an official U.S. reply to its UN‑transmitted peace initiative.
- Sep 26 US President Donald Trump says he rejects Iran’s proposal of a seven‑day roadmap to end the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Sep 26 Trump’s UN speech introduced a direct threat to Iran and highlighted claimed peace achievements.
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