Chinese President Xi Jinping has lent his support to “small, weak and poor” nations, stressing on the need to build partnerships in which countries treat each other as equals, engage in mutual consultation and show mutual understanding.

Addressing the ongoing 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Xi said: “The principle of sovereign equality underpins the

UN Charter. The future of the world must be shaped by all countries. All countries are equals.”

“Big, strong and rich should not bully the small, weak and poor,” said the Chinese president, without mentioning Nepal and India.

“The principle of sovereignty not only means that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries are inviolable and their internal affairs are not subjected to interference,” said Xi, who was speaking at the General Assembly for the first time.

“It also means that all countries’ right to independently choose social

systems and development paths should be upheld, and that all countries’ endeavours to promote economic and social development and improve their people’s lives should be respected.”

Major countries should follow the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation in handling their relations, he said. “Big countries should treat small countries as equals, and take a right approach to justice and interests by putting justice before interests.”

Emphasising on adopting a new vision of seeking win-win outcomes for all, he called for the rejection of the “outdated mind-set that one’s gain means the other’s loss or winner takes all.”

Xi said that consultation should be an important means of exercising contemporary international

governance. “We should resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation.”

During his address, Xi also tried to spell out Chinese foreign policy at the Assembly. “China will continue to participate in building world peace. We are committed to peaceful development,” he said, indicating at the strain on relationship between two of its neighbours, Nepal and India. “China will never pursue hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence.”

Obama lauds Nepal charter

KATHMANDU: US President Barack Obama has congratulated Nepal on the promulgation of the new constitution.

During a dinner reception hosted by the US president in honour of the head of states and delegations of various countries to the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, Obama congratulated Deputy PM Prakash Man Singh and other members of the Nepali delegation on the successful promulgation of the constitution. Obama was also delighted that the democratic and inclusive constitution was promulgated through the CA.

Minister Singh said that the constitution endorsed by a majority would be implemented in consensus.