FM: China supports UNSC reform
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-09-28 07:54

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing of China addresses the United Nations General Assembly September 27, 2004, in New York. [Reuters]

China supports the reform of the United Nations aimed at enhancing the UN's leading role in international affairs and favors giving priority to greater representation of the developing countries in expanding the Security Council, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said at the UN headquarters Monday.

Addressing the general debate of the 59th UN General Assembly, Li Zhaoxing said China supports necessary and rational reforms of the UN, and that such reforms should aim at enhancing the UN's leading role in international affairs, reinforcing its capacity to tackle new threats and challenges, and making it better reflect the aspiration and needs of the vast majority of developing countries.

"China is in favor of expanding the Security Council and giving priority to greater representation of the developing countries. China also supports the work of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change and is looking forward to the panel's report by the end of this year to be reviewed by member states, " he added.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

He noted that cooperation is an effective way to cope with common challenges facing mankind. "To strengthen international cooperation, we must champion multilateralism," he said.

The United Nations, he went so to say, is the center of international multilateral mechanisms and the key platform for making multilateralism work. It is the widespread call of the international community to adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, take more collective actions, strengthen the role of the UN and safeguard its authority, he added.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (R) shakes hands with Foreign Minister of China Li Zhaoxing at the United Nations in New York City during the annual debate of the 59th United Nations General Assembly. [AFP]

He stressed that the threats and challenges facing the international community make it imperative to strengthen, rather than weaken, the role of the UN. "A stronger UN is indispensable for maintaining global peace and stability and promoting the common development of mankind. All member states should honor their commitments to the UN Charter and fulfill their international responsibilities and obligations," he noted.

Li said China is a staunch force working for world peace, common development and international cooperation. China champions multilateralism to strengthen international cooperation as an effective way to cope with common challenges facing mankind.

PEACE AND STABILITY

China calls for a coordinated, balanced and sustainable development that serves the fundamental interests of all peoples and works for their well-being, said Li.

Li told world leaders at the general debate of the 59th UN General Assembly that development is the foundation for human progress and lasting peace and stability throughout the world hinges on coordinated, balanced and universal development.

"Development is of overriding importance. Living in peace, plenty and harmony among all nations has been the dream of many generations," Li said.

He noted that to promote economic growth worldwide, it is necessary for the international community to take effective measures to put in place an open and fair multilateral trading regime and gradually improve it. It is also important to reform and improve the international financial system, he added.

The Chinese foreign minister urged developed countries to honor their commitments to debt reduction, technology transfer and market access with concrete action so as to enable developing countries to really benefit from globalization.

Li also called on the developing countries to work together to attain development, take part in a wide range of international endeavor and deepen South-South cooperation.

He appealed to the international community to join hands in working toward a just and equitable new international economic order that meets the needs of growing economic globalization and serves the common interests of all countries.

Li stressed that the Millennium Development Goals are the collective solemn pledges of the international community. The United Nations should further mobilize resources, strengthen coordination and increase input in the development field so as to help member states achieve these important goals as scheduled, he said.

China stands for a new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation in tackling security issues and promoting world peace, said Li.

He said this new concept calls on nations to transcend their differences in ideology and social system, respect each other's security interests, promote greater democracy in international relations and seek peaceful solutions to disputes through dialogue.

NO MORE BLOODSHED

Peace is the precondition for human development and prosperity. "Without a peaceful and stable international environment, development is out of the question for any country. A chaotic world benefits no one," he said.

Having experienced the scourge of two world wars, mankind would not tolerate any more war or bloodshed and it is the fervent aspiration of all peoples to live and develop in a secure and stable environment.

He noted that terrorism is the common enemy of the whole world, and said China stands firmly opposed to terrorism, in all forms and manifestations.

"To forestall and fight terrorism, we must intensify international cooperation and address both the causes and symptoms of the threat. Only when the root cause of terrorism is eradicated can the peoples live in peace and tranquillity again," he added.

On the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, he said nonproliferation efforts require participation of all members of the international community. "It is likewise important to discard unilateralism and double standards and give full credit and full play to the role of the UN," he said.

ARMS CONTROL

He pledged China's active participation in multilateral nonproliferation efforts and its commitment to the international regime of arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation treaties. China holds that multilateral arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation processes be steadily promoted so as to further improve the international nonproliferation regime, he said.

On the situation in Iraq, he noted there is still a long way to go before peace and reconstruction can be realized in Iraq and said China supports an important role of the UN in Iraq's political process, so as to ensure the smooth process of the election in that country.

The minister reiterated China's appeal to Palestine and Israel to resume dialogue as soon as possible and to start implementing the Middle East Roadmap plan faithfully.

He also pledged China's willingness to help resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and talks in the interest of peace and stability on the Peninsula.

The Chinese minister arrived in New York on Sunday for the general debate of the 59th UN General Assembly session.



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