The Chinese Government on Friday said it would continue its insistence that the next UN secretary-general should come from Asia.

"It is a common desire of Asian nations and has been widely supported by the international community that the next UN secretary-general should come from Asia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

"China will continue to support an Asian candidate," he said.

The Security Council will hold the fourth "straw poll" for UN secretary-general on October 2.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman was asked to comment on reports that its insistence on an Asian meant more meritorious candidates from other continents were excluded.

Qin said China held a positive and open attitude to all the Asian candidates.

"We think there is no doubt that a new UN secretary-general with ability and prestige, who can be accepted by all sides, can come from these Asian candidates."

"It is not fair to doubt the ability of the Asian candidates and we cannot accept this," he said.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's second five-year term will end on December 31.

The UN Charter allows the Security Council to nominate a candidate who then must be approved by the UN General Assembly.

The Security Council has held three informal polls, all of which put Ban in top place.

Source: China Daily