Editorial丨Addressing the deficits in global governance

China, as the second-largest contributor to the United Nations' regular budget, accounts for about 20 percent of total assessed contributions, trailing only the United States.

中国是联合国常规预算的第二大缴款国，承担的经常预算分摊比例约占总额的20%，仅次于美国。

However, unlike the US, China has consistently paid its regular dues in full and on time, and with its recent payment it has paid its full annual dues of $641 million, earning public acknowledgment and praise from the UN.

然而，与美国不同的是，中国始终按时足额缴纳联合国会费。随着近期完成最新一笔缴款，中国已支付全年全部会费，共计6.41亿美元，并获得联合国方面公开认可和赞扬。

Saying the funds “come in handy”, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday thanked China for its latest payment. Speaking at a news briefing, Stephane Dujarric said that “having the full amount is extremely helpful to the ongoing liquidity crisis” the UN faces. He added that China's payment brought the number of fully paid-up member states to 133.

联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯的发言人周三表示，这笔资金“非常及时”。联合国发言人斯特凡·杜加里克在新闻发布会上感谢中国完成最新缴款，并表示：“收到全额资金对于缓解联合国当前面临的流动性危机极其有帮助。”他还指出，中国的缴款使按时足额缴纳会费的会员国数量达到133个。

The most notable exception is the US, which accounts for about 98 percent of unpaid contributions to the UN's main budget. The US administration has stated its intention to pay $725 million to the UN, but when asked about it, Dujarric could only say that “it is in the pipeline”.

最引人关注的例外是美国。美国约占联合国常规预算未缴款项的98%。美国政府此前表示计划向联合国支付7.25亿美元，但当被问及具体进展时，杜加里克只能回应称，这笔款项“正在办理过程中”。

As the organization's largest “debtor”, the US reportedly has outstanding arrears totaling over $4 billion for the regular budget, of which $1.8 billion is for peacekeeping operations. This chronic underpayment has directly constrained the UN's cash flow, forced delays in peacekeeping operations, and hindered the implementation of vital programs worldwide.

作为联合国最大的“债务国”，据报道，美国拖欠联合国常规预算的欠款总额超过40亿美元，其中约18亿美元涉及维和行动。长期不足额缴纳会费，已经直接影响联合国现金流，导致维和行动被迫延迟，并阻碍全球范围内重要项目的实施。

Washington's failure to honor its financial obligations not only undermines the UN, but also creates a persistent financial strain that other member states are left to partially offset. The situation led Guterres to warn that the UN is facing a “race to bankruptcy” unless its member states pay their dues in full and on time.

美国未履行其财政义务，不仅削弱了联合国的运行能力，也造成持续性的资金压力，使其他会员国不得不在一定程度上承担弥补责任。联合国秘书长古特雷斯曾警告称，如果会员国不能按时足额缴纳会费，联合国正面临一场“走向破产的赛跑”。