UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will depart this weekend on official visits to China, Ireland and the United Kingdom, a UN spokesman said on October 7.

Spokesman Fred Eckhard told a press briefing in New York that the UN chief will meet with President Hu Jintao and senior government officials in Beijing.

"He will visit an eco-village and HIV/AIDS testing center, and he will tour the Chinese peacekeeping training center at Langfang," he said.

China currently provides close to 1,000 military and police personnel to 12 peacekeeping operations, according to the spokesman.

"A speech and question and answer session with students of Tsinghua University is also included on his program in China, as are the opening celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the UN-China partnership," said the spokesman.

In Ireland, Annan will meet with President Mary McAleese, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and Defense Minister Willie O'Dea.

In the United Kingdom, Annan will deliver the Tip O'Neill Lecture at the University of Ulster on the topic of peace-building before traveling to London, where he will meet with Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Jack

Straw, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and the Secretary of State for International Development, according to the spokesman.

In an interview with Chinese reporters on the eve of his trip to China, Annan said Wednesday that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, plays an important role in the world body.

"It is now playing an increasing role in global economy. The impact of Chinese dynamic economy is felt around the world," Annan said.

The UN chief said he appreciated the opportunity to go to China periodically to exchange views with Chinese leaders on UN-China relations and global development.

Annan said he would discuss with Chinese leaders issues like UN reform and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

He also wanted to express his thanks to China for its participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Source: Xinhua