Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in Havana Saturday that China supports the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries to play a major role in world affairs and called for maintaining unity and strengthening coordination.

In a speech at the 14th NAM Summit conference, Yang, who led a Chinese government delegation to attend the Havana summit as an observer, said NAM's "role must be strengthened."

"We support the NAM's involvement in resolving major international issues in a more flexible and proactive manner to make the voice of developing countries better heard in the world," said Yang.

He said the establishment of the NAM 45 years ago "demonstrated the developing countries' strong demand for democracy in international relations and advanced their cause to win independence, uphold sovereignty, oppose hegemonism and develop economy."

The vice foreign minister said over the past 45 years, the NAM has "played a unique and indispensable role by serving as an important platform and channel for developing countries to strengthen themselves through unity, advance common interests and exert influence on international affairs."

He said China will remain a true and reliable friend and partner of the NAM and continue to promote China's traditional friendship and cooperation with NAM.

Established in 1961, NAM groups 118 countries. China became an observer to NAM in 1992.

About 3,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, including 68 heads of state or government attended the Havana summit.

Source: Xinhua