I cinquant’anni della Cina popolare all’Onu

Despite an unprecedented pandemic crisis, 2021 was a unique year for the People’s Republic of China which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party and the 50th anniversary of its entry into the United Nations, last 25th October. These two events are linked by a classic “red thread”. It was, in fact, the “brilliant decision” of the Great Helmsman, in a period marked by great political and social disorder that allowed the PRC to join the United Nations, after being excluded from it for over two decades. Relations between PRC and the UN can be analyzed with reference to the multiple identities of the country. In particular, the UN has served the interests of the PRC in itsdual identity as a developing country (albeit the largest) and a rising great power that wants to have a growing say in the global governance, and as the most representative and authoritative organization of the international community, it has allowed China to emerge as a great responsible power. This is particularly evident both in the rather limited use of the exercise of its veto power vis-à-vis the other permanent members of the Security Council, and in the gradual change of approach to peacekeeping operations.