China issued a position paper on the United Nations reforms on Tuesday, June 7, emphasizing multilateralism and urging the reforms to meet the need of developing countries.

"All countries should make concerted efforts ... to cope with threats and challenges, especially to eliminate their root causes, by collective action," the paper said, which is the first one elaborating China's all-round stance on UN reform.

The United Nations plays an "indispensable role" in international affairs, it said.

"UN is the best venue to practice multilateralism, and an effective platform for collective actions to cope with various threats and challenges".

The paper said that the United Nations should "continue to be a messenger for the maintenance of peace", and a "forerunner for the promotion of development promotion".

China welcomes the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, UN Millennium Project Report and the comprehensive report of the UN Secretary-General, the paper said.

"China is ready to work with all other parties to push for positive results of UN reforms and success of the summit in September," it said.

Principles

According to the paper, the UN reform, which will be a major topic on a global summit meeting in September to mark its 60th birthday, is urged to follow those principles:

Reforms should be in the interest of multilateralism, and enhance UN's authority and efficiency, as well as its capacity to deal with new threats and challenges.

Reforms should safeguard the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, especially those of sovereign equality, non- interference in internal affairs, peaceful resolution of conflicts and strengthening international cooperation, etc.

Reforms should be all-dimensional and multi-sectoral, and aim to succeed in both aspects of security and development. Especially, reforms should aim at reversing the trend of "UN giving priority to security over development" by increasing inputs in the field of development and facilitating the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Reforms shall accommodate the propositions and concerns of all UN members, especially those of the developing countries. Reforms should be based on democratic and thorough consultations and the most broadly-based consensus.

Reforms should proceed gradually from tackling more manageable problems to thornier ones and be carried out in a way that will maintain and promote solidarity among members. For those proposals on which consensus has been reached, decision may be made promptly for their implementation; for important issues where division still exists, prudence, continued consultations and consensus- building are called for. It is undesirable to set a time limit or force a decision.

The paper detailed in four parts China's position on UN reforms, including the issues on development, security, rule of law, human rights and democracy, and strengthening the United Nations. More...

Paper clarifies position

"Security Council reform by any means is merely a small part of the UN reform," said Chen Xiangyang, an expert with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. China's paper is an attempt to get UN reform back on the right track, he said.

"The UN reform is now at a critical moment where members have not yet reached extensive consensus. Under such circumstances, China's stance in the paper shows it is taking a responsible line for the world body's future," said Shen Jiru, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

UN reform is not only concerned with Security Council enlargement, but also its efficiency and authority. Issues such as development, poverty and other challenges should be taken into account, Shen said. "The paper can be viewed as a guideline."

"The reform is not a simple process, it needs democratic consultation and broad consensus," Shen said.

"China gave opinions of fairness, which developing countries are eager to hear," said Chen Xiangyang.

"In East Asia, Japan failed to win trust from neighbouring countries owing to its attitude towards history. So if Japan wants to play a bigger role in the UN, consensus should be first reached in the region," said Chen.

Chen said the paper corresponds with the draft outcome presented by the president of the UN General Assembly, Jean Ping, on June 3. More...

No "fast food"

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "Haste makes slow going; more haste, less speed". The UN and Security Council reform bears on the well-being of the world's six billion people, so the reform must be carried out in a safe and cautious manner and must proceed in a planned and systematic way, according to a commentary by the People's Daily newspaper on June 9.

"Becoming a permanent member" is not only an honor, it is all the more a kind of international responsibility. When condition is not ripe, if the "five permanent members" mechanism is willfully expanded or if the scope of the veto power is enlarged, the result will not only possibly lower the Security Council's efficiency, but also will become a new source of instability due to the strong international rebound. More...

No to "forced through"

Wang Guangya, Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations said on June 1 that the resolution draft on the demand put forward by Germany, Japan, India and Brazil ("four-nation union") for increasing permanent member nations of the Security Council would hinder the process of the UN reform, if the four countries put this resolution draft to the vote, China will vote against it.

The resolution draft put forward by the "four-nation union" has resulted in the break-up of UN member states into two opposite camps, if the "four-nation union" submit the resolution draft to the UN General Assembly for voting next week, China will vote against it. Wang Guangya expressed the hope that various sides would continue consultations to find a formula on the expansion of the Security Council that has the extensive support from UN member states. More...