Visiting Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Kofi Annan on Friday spoke highly of China's promotion of world peace and development, saying the UN expects the country to play an even greater role in international affairs.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (L) and Chinese President Hu Jintao meet in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 19, 2006. [Reuters]

Annan made the remark while meeting with President Hu Jintao in Beijing on the first day of an official visit to China.

Hu said the world body needs to continue its reforms to improve efficiency so that the aspirations of developing countries can be better reflected.

"Development should be a top priority," Hu said. "Efforts should be made to create an international environment that supports the growth of developing countries and promotes economic globalization that is mutually beneficial."

Annan arrived in Beijing on Friday afternoon. China is the third leg of his five-nation Asian tour, which has already taken him to the Republic of Korea and Japan. He will also visit Thailand and Viet Nam.

Hu and Annan also exchanged views on international issues such as the Iranian nuclear crisis.

On Thursday, Annan urged all sides to tone down the rhetoric over Iran and negotiate face to face.

He also called for a resumption of the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear disarmament of the Korean Peninsula, which have stalled since last November after the United States imposed financial sanctions on Pyongyang over money laundering and counterfeiting allegations.

Annan is also scheduled to meet Premier Wen Jiabao.

The candidates to be the next secretary-general might also be among the topics in his meetings with Chinese leaders.

Annan, 68, will complete his term at the end of this year.

He said on Thursday in Tokyo that most nations believe his successor should come from Asia. "It is a practice that we have rotated it over the years from one region to another," Annan told reporters.

The world's largest continent has not had a UN chief since U Thant of Burma (now Myanmar) finished his second term in 1971.

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, whom Annan met earlier this week, has announced his candidacy.

Other possible Asian candidates include Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala, an adviser to President Mahinda Rajapakse.