In the first decade of the twenty-first century, China is entering one of the most exciting periods of its long history, set on a development path that will take it in just a few decades from an isolated developing country to a leading player on the world stage. Yet even as China’s economy flourishes, and national indicators of poverty, health and education steadily improve, gaps are emerging, including between rural and urban areas; the industrializing east coast and the central and western regions; and males and females, that could undermine future progress. At the same time, the environmental implications of rapid development and the need to protect the population from threats such as HIV/AIDS, avian influenza and natural disasters demand urgent action. The fact that the population is ageing and the size of the working age population will start to decline around 2015 further poses challenges on social and economic development.

Offering cooperation in the form of technical assistance, policy dialogue, research, capacity building and advocacy, the United Nations is helping China to rise to the manifold challenges and opportunities of this crucial period of transformation. As the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, and on behalf of the Heads of all the UN Agencies working here (pictured above), I am pleased to welcome you to this website, which provides an overview of how the United Nations system is working together with the Chinese government and other national and international partners to realize sustainable and human-centred development in the country. I hope that this website will deepen understanding of the UN’s role in China, and promote more partners to join hands with us in helping China to create a healthy, prosperous and equitable future for its people.

Khalid Malik

UN Resident Coordinator