China voiced opposition on Thursday to forced voting on any
resolution about the expansion of the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) that might undermine the unity of UN member
countries or the process of reform.
"The UNSC reform is an issue of major importance that concerns
the immediate interests of every country. It needs extensive,
transparent discussions and unanimous agreements so as to find a
converging point and compromised plan," Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Kong Quan said at yesterday's regular press
conference.
"That is the only way forward to UN reform, to help the UN play
an effective and authoritative role in world affairs and to
maintain unity among the UN member countries," he said.
Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, known as the Group of Four or
G-4, circulated a draft resolution on May 16 proposing their
permanent seats in the Security Council along with two African
countries. They have indicated they will put it to a vote by the
General Assembly this month.
The G-4 resolution needs to be approved by at least two-thirds
of the 191 UN member states to be adopted.
China's UN Ambassador Wang
Guangya said in New York on Wednesday that China will?
vote against the resolution if the G-4 puts the proposal to a vote
next week because it effectively divides the UN member states into
two opposing groups.
Nevertheless, Kong reiterated China's stance on the UNSC reform,
expressing China's support for it.
He said the reform should help enhance the authority and
efficiency of the Security Council. He said reforms should also
focus on increasing the representation of developing countries.
Kong added that reforms should give more opportunities to small
and mid-sized countries to participate in the decision-making of
the Security Council. Further, they should adhere to the principle
of keeping balance among regions and take into account the
representation of different cultures and civilizations.
He also pointed out that the UNSC reform is only one part of the
UN reform agenda.
"We worry that the reform of the Security Council has been
over-emphasized by some parties while other UN reforms have been
overlooked," he added.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in his UN reform report
submitted to the General Assembly in March, proposed to make a
decision on council expansion before September.
While addressing the 59th session of the General Assembly, Wang
Guangya said that China supports reforms of the Security Council,
but objects to setting a timetable for the process or forcing a
vote on reforms in the absence of a consensus.
Foreign ministers of China, Russia and India met yesterday in
the Russian city of Vladivostok for an informal meeting.
Kong said the meeting was important for closer trilateral
cooperation, and maintaining regional peace and stability.
Turning to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Kong said China
has not given up efforts to resume the six-party talks despite some
difficulties arising in the process.
He said China hopes that the US and the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea will show more goodwill toward each other so as
to promote mutual trust. This will help to create more favorable
conditions for the resumption of the talks.
The six-party talks collapsed almost a year ago after three
rounds of multilateral meetings aimed at persuading Pyongyang to
drop its nuclear program.
Discussing Sino-US trade relations, Kong said China opposes the
US decision to impose trade barriers on Chinese textiles.?
The US government announced last month that it would limit
imports of seven kinds of Chinese textiles and clothing, with the
aim of limiting yearly increases of certain Chinese textiles in the
US market.
Kong said Sino-US trade ties have developed rapidly over the
years, but pointed out that trade could not have advanced if
benefits were only one-sided.
He said China believes friendly consultation is the best way to
solve trade frictions between the two countries.
US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez arrived in Beijing
yesterday morning. He said the US hopes to resolve the textile
dispute through consultations and continue to strengthen economic
and trade relations with China.
Turning to other state visits, Kong announced that Vice Premier
Zeng
Peiyan will visit Russia, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Qatar
from June 6 to 17. Zeng will also attend the Second South Summit to
be held in Doha, Qatar.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will visit China
from June 12 to 15, and Kenyan Foreign Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere
from June 8 to 12.
(Xinhua News Agency, CRI.com June 3, 2005)