China supports rational reforms of UN
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-09-29 00:57

Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and China is ready to work towards a peaceful reunification with "utmost sincerity and effort," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said on Monday.

Speaking to world leaders gathered for the annual high-level UN debate, Li reiterated China's policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems."

"Safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and realizing complete national reunification at an earlier date is the common will and firm resolve of the 1.3 billion Chinese people, " said Li.

"We, more than anybody else, want to see a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question," he said. "We will never tolerate Taiwan independence, nor will we allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the rest of China in any way."

He also called on the international community to fully recognize the complex and sensitive nature of the current situation across the Taiwan Straits and the serious threat posed by the separatist activities of the Taiwan authorities to the stability of Taiwan Straits and the peace of Asia-Pacific region.

"We expect you to continue supporting the Chinese Government's efforts for peaceful reunification and join us in containing the pro-independence activities in the interest of stability in the Straits and world peace," he added.Regarding reforms at the United Nations, Li said China supports necessary and rational reforms, and that such reforms should enhance the UN's leading role in international affairs, reinforcing its capacity to tackle new threats and challenges, and allowing it to better reflect the aspiration and needs of the vast majority of developing countries.

"China is in favour of expanding the Security Council and giving priority to greater representation of developing countries. China also supports the work of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change and is looking forward to the panel's report by the end of this year," he added.

He noted that co-operation is an effective way to cope with common challenges.

"To strengthen international co-operation, we must champion multilateralism," he said.

The United Nations is at the centre of international multilateral mechanisms and the key platform for making multilateralism work.

It is the widespread call of the international community to adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, take more collective actions, strengthen the role of the UN and safeguard its authority, he added.

He stressed that the threats and challenges facing the international community make it imperative to strengthen, rather than weaken, the role of the UN.

"A stronger UN is indispensable for maintaining global peace and stability and promoting the common development of mankind. All Member States should honour their commitments to the UN Charter and fulfill their international responsibilities and obligations," he noted.

China stands for a new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-operation in tackling security issues and promoting world peace, said Li. This new concept calls on nations to transcend their differences in ideology and social systems, respect each other's security interests, promote greater democracy in international relations and seek peaceful solutions to disputes through dialogue, he said.

He noted that terrorism is the common enemy of the world, and said China stands firmly opposed to terrorism in all forms.

On the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, he said nonproliferation efforts require participation of all members of the international community.

"It is likewise important to discard unilateralism and double standards and give full credit and full play to the role of the UN," he said.

He pledged China's active participation in multilateral non-proliferation efforts and its commitment to the international regime of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation treaties.

China holds that multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation processes be steadily promoted so as to further improve the international non-proliferation regime, he said.

On the situation in Iraq, he noted there is still a long way to go before peace and reconstruction can be realized in Iraq and said China supports the important role of the UN in Iraq's political process, so as to ensure the smooth process of elections in that country.

The minister reiterated China's appeal to Palestine and Israel to resume dialogue as soon as possible and to start implementing the Middle East Roadmap plan faithfully.

He also pledged China's willingness to help resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and talks in the interest of peace and stability on the Peninsula. Li called for co-ordinated, balanced and sustainable development that serves the fundamental interests of all people and works for their well- being.

He noted that to promote economic growth worldwide, it is necessary for the international community to take effective measures to put in place an open and fair multilateral trading regime and gradually improve it. It is also important to reform and improve the international financial system, he added.

The Chinese foreign minister urged developed countries to honour their commitments to debt reduction, technology transfers and market access with concrete action so as to enable developing countries to really benefit from globalization.

Li also called on developing countries to work together to attain development, take part in a wide range of international endeavour and deepen South-South co-operation.

He appealed to the international community to work together toward a just and equitable new international economic order that meets the needs of growing economic globalization and serves the common interests of all countries.

Li stressed that the Millennium Development Goals are the collective solemn pledges of the international community. The United Nations should further mobilize resources, strengthen co-ordination and increase input in the development field so as to help member states achieve these important goals as scheduled, he said.

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