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"We have 100 days": In view of the corona pandemic, UN chief Guterres has again called for a global ceasefire
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The so-called security law in Hong Kong, consulate closings, trade war: in the midst of the corona pandemic, the relationship between China and the USA has recently deteriorated massively.
At the start of this year's general debate by the United Nations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has now warned of a "cold war" between the two great powers.
"We are moving in a very dangerous direction. Our world cannot afford a future in which the two largest economies divide the earth," said Guterres in New York.
This would create a technological and economic divide that could expand into a military one.
Everything must be done to avoid further escalation.
Shortly afterwards, in his speech at the general debate, US President Donald Trump attacked China and the World Health Organization (WHO) because of the corona crisis.
The government in Beijing has not stopped the global spread of the virus.
"The Chinese government and the World Health Organization - which is practically controlled by China - have falsely stated that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission," said the US president.
He said: "The United Nations must hold China accountable for its actions."
In view of the enormous challenges posed by the corona pandemic, Guterres campaigned for better international cooperation.
Populism and nationalism have failed in the task of containing the virus.
"We have 100 days. The clock is ticking."
Antonio Guterres
This also applies to selfish procedures in the development of a vaccine: "Such 'vaccination nationalism' is not only unfair, it defeats itself."
For an active fight against Covid-19, Guterres again called for a global ceasefire that must come into force by the end of the year.
"We have 100 days. The clock is ticking."
Due to the pandemic, representatives from all 193 member states will not speak at the UN general debate from Tuesday as they normally would at the UN headquarters in New York.
Instead, pre-recorded speeches are shown.
Speeches from Iran's President Hassan Rohani, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, China's President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to kick off.
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) will give his speech on Tuesday next week on the last day of the general debate.
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asc / dpa / AFP