China at UN Warns of Return to ‘Cold War Mentality’

Premier of China Li Qiang speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on September 26, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned Friday against a return to a “Cold War mentality” and defended multilateralism and free trade, in a veiled criticism of the United States from the United Nations.

The Chinese premier made no explicit reference to U.S. President Donald Trump as he addressed the UN General Assembly. But he cast the Asian power as a defender of the global order, of which Washington, until recently, was the chief custodian.

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by Agence France-Presse

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