China not in favor of artificial time frame for UN reform

China is not in favor of setting an artificial time limit for the reform of the United Nations or forcing through the reform proposal by vote, as there remain major differences on the reform proposals owing to the lack of broad consensus.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made these remarks during his talks with Ali Alatas, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy Tuesday in Beijing.

Alatas, also former Indonesian foreign minister, is here for a two-day visit to coordinate the views of Asian countries with respect to the secretary general's report on the proposed UN reform.

Alatas is one of the five envoys Annan has named to assist in promoting the comprehensive reform agenda for the UN summit slated for September this year.

On the issue of the UN reform, Li acknowledged, this year is the 60th founding anniversary of the United Nations, and China supports the world body in carrying out rational and essential reform, so as to give fuller scope in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

The reform of the UN Security Council should be aimed to enable this world body to contribute still more in increasing its efficiency and raising its authority, and its priority should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries in the UN Security Council, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Alatas said that China, a permanent number of the UN Security Council and the largest developing nation, has been playing an important role in the United Nations and international affairs, and occupies a vital status on the issue of the UN reform.

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.

Draft of G-4 to undermine UN reform process

China on Tuesday said the draft resolution circulated by Germany, Japan, Brazil and India on the UN Security Council expansion will be "detrimental" to the process of UN reform.

"To take such a move hastily will only intensify contradictions, " said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, citing that great divergence remains among UN member countries.

Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, known as the G-4, on Monday circulated a draft resolution, proposing to give the four countries permanent seats in the Security Council along with two African countries.

"There is still a very large gap between the positions of many countries and the core content of the draft resolution," Kong told a regular news conference.

He said China hopes all relevant parties can start from the overall and long-term interests of the U.N. and its member countries, follow the stipulations and spirit of the U.N. Charter and carry out extensive and in-depth consultations, so as to push for a common consensus among all countries.

Kong also reiterated China's stance on the UN Security Council reform, saying that China supports the reform of the Security Council.

He called on the 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 middle and small-sized countries to participate in the decision- making of the UN Security Council and should adhere to the principle of keeping balance among regions and take into account the representation of different cultures and civilizations.

"Security Council reform is an issue concerning the future of the United Nations and the immediate interests of every country. Decisions should be made on the basis of extensive discussions and unanimous agreements," the spokesman said.

By People's Daily Online