UNITED NATIONS, New York: President Joe Biden, in his address to the 78th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, reassured world leaders that the United States is not seeking conflict with China.
He underscored the nation's willingness to foster cooperation with China, particularly in areas where progress depends on collaborative efforts.
"When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent. We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.
"I have said we are for de-risking, not decoupling with China.
"We will push back on aggression and intimidation and defend the rules of the road, from freedom of navigation to overflight to a level economic playing field that have helped safeguard security and prosperity for decades.
"We also stand ready to work with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts. Nowhere is that more critical than … the accelerating climate crisis," Biden said in his address to the UN.
These remarks come in the context of increasing tensions between the US and China, prompting concerns and warnings of a potential new Cold War on the global stage.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated earlier this year following an incident involving a surveillance balloon and China's support for Russia's conflict in Ukraine.
In February, the US military intercepted a Chinese surveillance balloon that had been in US airspace for several days.
In June, Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator" during a fundraising event, sparking an angry reaction from Beijing.
Recent efforts have been made by the US to mend the deeply strained relations with China.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met on the sidelines of the General Assembly on Monday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the second high-level meeting within days between the powers aimed at keeping tensions in check.
FIGHT AGAINST THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Biden, in his 30-minute address, also noted that Beijing and Washington need to cooperate on climate.
Nowhere is that more critical accelerating the fight against the climate crisis, Biden said.
"We see it everywhere: record-breaking heatwaves in the US and China; wildfires ravaging North America and Southern Europe; a fifth year of drought in the Horn of Africa; tragic, tragic flooding in Libya — my heart goes out to the people of Libya — that has killed thousands — thousands of people.
"Together, these snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and begin to climate-proof the world."
He urged collective action to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and adapt to the changing climate, outlining his administration's efforts in areas like clean energy investment, climate financing for developing nations, and progress towards the climate finance goals established in the Paris Climate Agreement.
However, he called for increased investment from both the public and private sectors to address this pressing global challenge.
Despite spotlighting the importance of addressing climate issues, Biden has chosen not to personally participate in the Climate Ambition Summit hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday.
This summit encourages nations to present fresh concepts and initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and tackling climate change.
Administration officials downplayed Biden's non-attendance at the climate summit, noting that John Kerry, the US climate envoy, will attend in Biden's place.
WORLD CAN'T ABANDON UKRAINE
Addressing the situation in Ukraine, Biden called on world leaders to confront Russia's "naked aggression" and lend support to the Ukrainian people.
He said the US, like all other nations, backs Ukraine's pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to achieve lasting peace.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listened from the audience, Biden stressed that Russia alone bears responsibility for this war and it alone has the power to end this war immediately.
"And it is Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because the — Russia's price for peace is Ukraine's capitulation, Ukraine's territory, and Ukraine's children.
"Russia (Russian President Vladimir Putin and his armed forces) believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence.
"But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?
"I would respectfully suggest the answer is no. We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,"
"That's why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom," he added.
For the second consecutive year, the annual UN General Assembly is taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which continues to be a central concern for world leaders.
Although the UN has been instrumental in coordinating humanitarian assistance throughout the conflict, it has not assumed a role as a mediator in the war.
"For the second year in a row, this gathering – dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts – is darkened by the shadow of war. An illegal war of conquest brought without provocation against its neighbour Ukraine," Biden said.
Biden is scheduled to hold a meeting with Zelensky in Washington later this week.
ZALENSKY: RUSSIA WEAPONISES ESSENTIALS
Taking the rostrum of the UN General Assembly in his trademark military fatigues, Zelensky told world leaders at the UN General Assembly that alongside its ongoing nuclear threat, Russia is also weaponising essentials like global food and energy markets.
He underscored the far-reaching impact of this weaponisation, affecting regions from Africa to Southeast Asia.
"Nukes are not the scariest thing now. Mass destruction is gaining momentum. The aggressor is weaponising many other things … things that are being used not only against our country but also yours as well," he said.
"There are many conventions against weapons but none against weaponisation … of global food supplies and energy."
Zelensky further said that while Russia undermines the Black Sea Initiative, Ukraine continues to support it to ensure food security globally, having launched a temporary sea corridor from its ports and working to preserve land routes for grain exports.
The Ukrainian leader added that Russia was conducting mass kidnapping and deportation of Ukrainian children, making it a clear case of genocide. In Russia, he continued, the children are taught to hate Ukraine and all ties broken with their families.
"When hatred is weaponised against one nation, it never stops there," he said.
Zelensky also said that he will present a Ukrainian peace formula at the Security Council on Wednesday to serve as a framework to end aggression on terms set by the victimised country in an open manner.
Urging unity among countries Zelensky said that while Russia is "pushing the world to the final war", Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after this Russian aggression, "no one in the world will dare to attack any nation."
"Every nation must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home, and the occupier must return to their own land," he added.
