Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Song Tao made a significant point when he elaborated on a more active role for emerging economies in international affairs at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Song said emerging economies have thrived within the current international system, and ensuring the smooth voyage of the boat is in the interest of all countries as both the emerging and developed countries ride in the same boat.

As the world is facing an array of security challenges, including anti-terrorism and nuclear nonproliferation, while countries in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Syria and Egypt, continue to be mired in violence and instability, the importance of maintaining stability in the current international system is beyond doubt.

Both emerging and developed countries have a responsibility to ensure that issues and disputes, especially those in the security field, be solved within the framework of the international system. In this regard the United Nations should continue to play a leading role, and the UN Charter, which lays down the basic principles and tools for handling international relations and safeguarding world peace and security, should be upheld.