Pushing UN reform plans to vote would jeopardize UN solidarity, FM spokesman

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing Thursday that "forcing immature UN reform proposals" to vote would jeopardize the solidarity of the United Nations and the authority of the UN Security Council.

While expressing China's support to UN reform, Qin said China believes that the priority of the Security Council reforms should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries.

"As the reform is of vital importance, it should be conducted to promote the solidarity among the member states of the United Nations," he said, adding that consensus should be made among the member states through broad and patient discussions.

Qin said seeking consensus through consultation is not only the spirit enshrined in the UN Charter but also the important corner stone for UN's vitality.

"We should especially adhere to this when dealing with key issues," said Qin.

The spokesman said the Chinese government will take a responsible attitude and handle the issue from a perspective of maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan delivered a report to the UN General Assembly on March 21, calling for a decision by the General Assembly on the expansion of the 15-nation Security Council before world leaders gather in New York in September for a UN summit.

He also expressed veiled support for a vote on the matter by the assembly if no consensus could be reached after "healthy discussions."

The report offered two models for the council's enlargement.

Model A would increase the permanent council members from the present five to 11, but the six new permanent members would not have the power of veto. Model B would create a new layer of eight so-called semi-permanent members, which would have four-year renewable terms.

Model A has been supported by Brazil, Germany, Japan and India, the four front-runners in the competition for new permanent seats on the Security Council. The four are planning to force through a resolution in the General Assembly by the summer, which would endorse Model A.

But Model A has been strongly opposed by Mexico, Italy, Pakistan and other countries, which favor Model B.

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya said on Wednesday China supports reforms of the Security Council, but "is not in favor of setting an artificial time limit for Council reform and still less of forcing through any immature proposals lacking consensus in the form of a vote."