Nation against UN rush on reform
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-06-03 00:53

China is against forcing through any resolution that splits the United Nations' membership and is detrimental to its reform process, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.

Kong was speaking in the regular news briefing in response to China's UN ambassador Wang Guangya. He suggested in New York on Wednesday that the country would use its veto power to block a proposed resolution by G-4 states to expand the UN Security Council and give permanent seats to Japan, Germany, India and Brazil if it is put to a vote in the General Assembly session in June.

It was reported that Wang said the draft resolution could result in the break-up of UN member states. He called on the various sides to continue consultations to find a formula on the expansion of the Security Council that has extensive support from UN member states.

Kong echoed the envoy's statement, saying China hopes all relevant parties can start from the overall and long-term interests of the UN and its member countries and carry out extensive and in-depth consultations, to push for a common consensus among all countries.

He called on the UN Security Council reform to be helpful in enhancing the authority and efficiency of the Security Council and to give priority to increasing the representation of developing countries.

He also said the reform should give more opportunities to smaller countries to participate in the decision-making of the UN Security Council. It should adhere to the principle of keeping balance among regions and take into account the representation of different cultures and civilizations.

He said the reform of the Security Council is only part of the UN reform, but too much attention has been given to the issue, which prevents UN members discussing other important issues that Secretary General Kofi Annan wants included in a major overhaul.

Annan presented a report in late March on the reform of the United Nations, which offers two models for the Security Council's enlargement. However, members are motivated by different considerations and are deeply divided over the issue.

Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, known as the G-4, on May 16 circulated a draft resolution calling for expansion of the UN Security Council from 15 to 25 members.