Deadline for UN reform not proper before members iron out disagreement: Chinese official

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said Wednesday that a deadline should not be set for the United Nations Security Council reform and push for a vote when council members "obviously disagree" on the proposals.

Tang made the remarks when meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Carolina Barco Isackson.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan submitted a report on the UN reform on March 23, which proposed to enlarge the Security Council. Germany, Japan, India and Brazil are the four prime candidates for new permanent seats on an expanded Security Council. They proposed in a joint statement on March 31 in New York to put the issue of expansion to a vote in the UN General Assembly slated for September.

Tang said China supports the UN to strengthen its role and authority through reform and expand the representation of developing countries in the Security Council.

"However, it is not proper to set a deadline and push for a vote when council members obviously disagree on the two proposals," Tang said.

He suggested council members should exercise democracy and strive for a broad consensus of council members on the basis of full consultation.

Barco agreed to Tang's opinion. She said the UN needs reform, but the reform should be comprehensive, covering the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council instead of being focused on the Security Council.

"Members should reach a broad consensus on this point," said the Colombian foreign minister.

Both Tang and Barco praised the China-Colombia relationship and expressed the readiness that China and Colombia would work together to strengthen cooperation in all fields.

Tang spoke highly of the Andean Community's role and said China attaches great importance to the relationship with the regional economic cooperation organization of Latin American countries.

"China hopes to expand cooperation with the Andean Community in telecommunication, energy, business promotion and personnel training," said Tang, adding this will push bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

Barco said given the solid foundation for cooperation between the Andean Community and China, Colombia is ready to continue to make contribution to it.