China Backs UN As Over 20 Countries Join Trump’s Board Of Peace
China has reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations as a growing number of countries signal interest in joining the Board of Peace (BoP), a new international initiative spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Beijing confirmed it has received an invitation from the United States to join the Board of Peace but stressed that its allegiance to the United Nations remains unwavering, regardless of shifting global dynamics.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China “always practices true multilateralism,” describing it as a core principle of the United Nations since its founding. He added that China remains committed to safeguarding the international order based on international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
The White House announced the creation of the Board of Peace last week. The initiative was first proposed in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and was initially framed as a mechanism to support governance, reconstruction and economic recovery in Gaza.
However, concerns have emerged that the Board could expand beyond Gaza and evolve into a platform that challenges existing UN resolutions and actions on international peace and security.
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, cautioned that the United Nations holds a “unique mandate” to maintain global peace and security, warning that the Board of Peace could assume a mandate broader than the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.
These concerns appear to be influencing the cautious stance of several countries whose leaders have yet to commit to the initiative. A draft charter for the Board has reportedly been circulated to about 60 countries.
The document describes the BoP as an international organisation aimed at promoting stability, restoring lawful governance and securing lasting peace in conflict-affected or threatened regions.
The United States is expected to host a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace on Thursday on the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Countries that have indicated willingness to join include Albania, Argentina, Bahrain, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Several countries, including France, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden, have declined participation for now. The United Kingdom and Ukraine are also expected to opt out, reportedly due to the inclusion of Belarus and Russia, while Brazil has expressed reluctance, citing its strong commitment to the United Nations framework.
According to the charter, membership of the Board of Peace is limited to states invited by the chairman and will be represented by heads of state or senior government officials.
Members are required to contribute to Board operations in accordance with their domestic laws. Membership terms last three years, although countries that contribute $1 billion in the first year are granted permanent seats. The White House said the fee offers permanent membership to states demonstrating deep commitment to peace, security and prosperity.
President Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Steve Witkoff, Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, Jared Kushner and Robert Gabriel as founding board members. Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum will serve as senior advisers, while Nickolay Mladenov has been named High Representative for Gaza. Major General Jasper Jeffers will serve as Commander of the International Stabilization Force.
