Foreign and Military Affairs

China promises to be 'fair' as UNSC president

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-31 06:52
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Nation gets rotating presidency of key council next month

UNITED NATIONS: China will perform its duty in an objective and fair manner and work with other members to maintain international peace and security when it assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council next month, the Chinese envoy to the UN said here on Tuesday.

Zhang Yesui, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said in an interview that assuming the council presidency was an important task for China in the field of multilateral diplomacy in 2010.

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The 15 council members are now discussing the agenda for next month, which includes a series of talks on global and regional hot-button issues, open debates and consultations, said Zhang.

"According to what I have got till now, it will be a busy schedule," he said, adding China would do its utmost to make sure the Security Council works smoothly and efficiently.

The presidency of the Security Council rotates among its members in the alphabetical order of their names in English. Each president holds office for one calendar month. China previously assumed the presidency in October 2008.

Touching on the international situation in 2009, Zhang said the year had witnessed complex and profound changes in world affairs.

He said the multilateral diplomatic situation this year had three basic features: First, global crises assumed unprecedented complexity while international summits became the principal platform to address these pressing issues.

Second, the reform of the international system was high on the agenda, and initial efforts in global economic governance paid off.

Third, emerging countries grew rapidly and exerted increasing influence on multilateral affairs.

The year also saw dynamic diplomatic efforts by China in the international arena, Zhang said.

President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese leaders took an active part in international summits, making significant contributions to the international community's efforts to address global and regional issues, Zhang said.

As a permanent member of the Security Council and the largest developing country in the world, China fully participates in the work of the UN and plays a constructive role, the ambassador said.

Xinhua