Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with United Nations General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to uphold an international system centered on the United Nations, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Monday.

During a meeting with Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, visiting president of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Li said the UN had played an important role in safeguarding world peace and promoting global development since its establishment more than 70 years ago.

Noting that the current global situation was complex with many challenges, Li said all countries should jointly safeguard the status and role of the UN, adhere to the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, maintain international justice and fairness, and achieve win-win cooperation.

He pointed out that China, as a founding member of the United Nations, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world's largest developing country, would continue to uphold an international system centered on the UN, safeguard the global order and multilateralism based on the international laws, and fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations.

China would work with other countries and make its contributions to achieving the lasting peace, development and prosperity and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.

For her part, Espinosa said multilateralism, peace and development faced serious challenges currently, and she stood ready to work with all parties to uphold multilateralism and the international order so as to benefit the people of all countries.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with Espinosa on Monday.