FM spokeswoman: China firmly supports Asian candidates for UN secretary-general

The Chinese government is firmly advocating the appointment of an Asian as the next UN secretary-general, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in Beijing Tuesday.

The government believed that Asia had the ability to select a prestigious and competent candidate acceptable to the world community, Jiang said.

The Indian government named Shashi Tharoor, a senior UN official, as its candidate to succeed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan last Thursday.

Asked to comment on India's candidate, Jiang said selection of next secretary-general is a major event of the United Nations and no Asian had held the post for 34 years.

The Chinese government holds comprehensive consultations should be held on the selection of the next UN secretary-general, Jiang added.

Three other Asian countries have also named candidates for the post: Sri Lankan diplomat and former UN disarmament chief Jayantha Dhanapala, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and the Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon.

The next UN secretary-general will be selected in October.

Source: Xinhua