China to vote against contentious UNSC plan (Xinhua) Updated: 2005-06-22 13:08
UNITED NATIONS - China reiterated on Tuesday that it would vote against any
highly contentious Security Council expansion formula which could split the
United Nations membership if such proposal was put to a vote in the UN General
Assembly.
 Wang Guangya,
Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations, said China will resolutly vote
against contentious plan on the expansion of the UN Security Council. [AFP
file] | "China is opposed to artificially setting a time limit for the reform of the
Security Council," Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya told a
closed-door General Assembly debate. "If a formula on which there exist major
differences is forcibly put to a vote, China will resolutely vote against it."
The 191-nation assembly on Tuesday started a two-day closed-door debate on
the United Nations reforms. Adoption of a resolution in the assembly requires
two-thirds of majority. China,one of the five existing permanent members of the
Security Council,can't exercise veto power in the assembly.
Wang said that the enlargement of the Security Council is only one part of
the UN reforms as a whole and recent debates surrounding the council's
enlargement has already affected and impaired discussions on other major items.
"The preparation for the September (UN) Summit, especially the discussion on
how to concentrate efforts to address the question of development, has been
greatly hijacked," he pointed out.
"Forcible voting on an immature formula is bound to lead to divisions among
member states and weaken the authority and role of the UN. To the absolute
majority of member states, it will be a huge loss of irremediable nature," he
warned.
Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, known as the Group of Four, circulated a
draft resolution calling for an increase of 10 seats on the Security Council,
six new permanent seats and four non-permanent ones. The proposal has been
strongly objected by Italy, Pakistan, South Korea and many other nations. The
G-4 has not yet presented the draft to the assembly.
Wang said China supports the council reform and the reform should include
both the increase of membership and the improvement of working methods so as to
enhance the authority and efficiency of the council.
"The enlargement of the Security Council must give priority to increasing the
representation and participation of the developing countries, especially African
countries," he noted.
"Any expansion formula must make sure that small and medium countries have
more opportunities to take turns to participate in the work of the Security
Council, uphold the principle of geographical balance and ensure the
representation of different cultures and civilizations."
The council reform should follow the gradual process of democratic discussion
with a view to reaching consensus and it shouldn't only take care of the concern
of a few or some states, he continued.
"Only a decision arrived at through consensus can obtain the widest trust and
support and really enhance the representation and authority of the Security
Council," Wang stressed.
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