UN resolution kicked off 'new era' for China

Updated: 2011-10-25 06:50

By Zhang Yunbi, Li Lianxing and Zhang Yuwei (China Daily)

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BEIJING / NEW YORK - Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the resumption of China's lawful right as a United Nations member state, a historically significant event that kicked off a new era for both China and the UN.

The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 at its 26th session on Oct 25, 1971. The vote was followed by a lengthy applause from member states.

The resolution restored all rights to the People's Republic of China and recognized the representatives of its government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN.

The resolution also expelled representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupied at the UN and in all other related organizations.

The 40th anniversary came one day after a commemorative event in Beijing to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the establishment of the UN.

"The participation of China at the United Nations is one of the most important watersheds in history," Li Daoyu, former ambassador to the UN and honorary president of the UN Association in China, said at the event.

"It has also turned the United Nations into the most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in a real sense," said Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the UN.

The interaction between China and the UN may be best defined by the sharing of ideas and learning from and inspiring each other, Li Daoyu said, adding that China's call for the "Scientific Outlook on Development" resonates with the UN's drive for sustainable development, a key element of the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

John Feffer, co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, told China Daily that China's increasing diplomatic engagement and investments in international institutions are in its self-interest.

Feffer added that China's interests are increasingly global in scope.

"Now it is making considerable investments in international institutions - peacekeeping, economic development - to ensure regional and international security," Feffer said.

UN officials told China Daily that China's strong support for multilateralism is vital.

"We hope China can also devote more muscle to and enhance the developing world in the framework such as G77, the group of developing countries," said Renata Lok-Dessallien, the UN resident coordinator in China and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative in China.

China can share some of the successful lessons it has learned during its development over the last 30 years with other developing countries, Dessallien said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a video message aired in Beijing on Monday that the UN is calling for more unity among its members.

He said remarkable progress has been achieved since the UN was established.

"All the progress is under threat, from economic crisis, rising joblessness, inequality to climate change," Ban said in the video.

The world's population, expected to reach 7 billion by the end of October, poses a spate of challenges to the UN and the world.

"Global problems demand global solutions," added Ban.

Both Chinese and UN officials voiced their support for a necessary and rational reform of the UN Security Council in the context of current global economic crises.

"The reform should help improve the authority and efficiency of the council and make sure it more effectively performs its responsibilities entrusted to it by the UN Charter," Li Baodong said.

The UN needs to be strengthened as "some aspects of itself are still quite weak when facing some great challenges", Dessallien said.

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