UNITED NATIONS – At the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang made it clear that Beijing intends to play a central role in reshaping global governance, underscoring China’s ambition to influence international norms as the United States adopts a more inward-looking stance under President Donald Trump.

Li told delegates that “a China that bears in mind the greater good of humanity and stands ready to take up responsibilities will bring more positive energy into the world.” While he did not mention the United States directly, his remarks implicitly addressed Washington’s retreat from multilateral institutions and apparent disdain toward the UN.

The premier highlighted China’s pledges to lower tariffs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and defend the authority of the UN, portraying Beijing as a reliable partner in turbulent times. “The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation,” Li said, criticizing “unilateralism and Cold War mentality” as well as “hegemonism and bullying.” Such terms are frequently used by Chinese officials in reference to U.S. policies.

Experts view the speech as part of Beijing’s broader strategy to advance President Xi Jinping’s “Global Governance Initiative,” introduced earlier this month. Olivia Cheung, lecturer in politics at King’s College London, said: “Li’s speech confirms that China’s foreign policy posture today is firmly anchored in the ambition of turning a Western-dominant world order into one that is much more conducive to Chinese interests, values, and leadership.”

She noted that China now frames its foreign policy with greater coherence and confidence than in 2017, when its proposals for governance reform were less substantive. Cheung added that Beijing seeks to shift the global governance system “so that the rest of the world respects and accepts China’s interest in the way that Beijing defines it.”

Other analysts caution that China’s rhetoric often diverges from its actions. Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said: “Premier Li’s remarks leaned heavily on multilateral language, but Beijing’s track record tells a different story. China champions sovereignty at the U.N. while systematically eroding it in practice, from Hong Kong to the South China Sea.”

Ali Wyne, senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, said Beijing does not appear intent on offering a full alternative to the existing system. Instead, China aims to expand influence in select areas and push for new norms reflecting changing geopolitical realities.

In New York a day earlier, Li met with U.S. business leaders and scholars, assuring them that China would “continuously expand market access and increase imports” and provide foreign businesses with “the certainty they need to operate and develop in China.” His message contrasted with the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute and the Trump administration’s tougher stance on tariffs and multilateral bodies.

Xi and Trump are expected to meet in South Korea later this year at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to discuss ways of recalibrating bilateral relations. Li stressed that the two nations “could and should” be partners, quoting Xi’s oft-repeated line: “The Pacific Ocean is vast enough to accommodate both China and the United States, as well as other countries.”