An Eighty-Year Review of the UN Charter and the Perfection of a Civilizational Order

ZHANG Shun* & HE Qinhua**

Abstract: The birth of the Charter of the United Nations (UN Charter) was a crystallization of political wisdom in the late stage of World War II, and also a forerunner of the fundamental ideals underpinning the international protection of human rights. The UN’s predecessor, the League of Nations, collapsed in less than two decades after its founding due to the pressures of the European wars. By contrast, this post-war UN Charter has successfully established a wealth of ideals, values and principles, laying a pivotal foundation for international cooperation and the development of international law over the subsequent eighty years. Despite the frequent occurrence of crises and the persistent threat of regional conflicts escalating into global wars, the UN has thus far faithfully fulfilled the original aspiration of the Charter: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. At this special juncture marking the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, it is imperative to revisit the core spirit, advance its innovative development, and review and summarize the historical challenges the UN Charter has confronted over the past 80 years as well as the corresponding coping strategies. In doing so, we aim to provide historical insights for the advancement of global governance against the backdrop of globalization.

Keywords: The United Nations Charter (UN Charter) · The 80th anniversary · The Universal Declaration of Human Rights · China’s contribution · Charter amendment