Paper clarifies China position on UN reforms
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-08 11:27

China Tuesday issued aposition paperon the United Nations reforms, emphasizing multilateralism and urging the reforms to meet the need of developing countries.

"All countries should make concerted efforts ... to cope with threats and challenges, especially to eliminate their root causes,by collective action," the paper said, which is the first one elaborating China's all-round stance on UN reform.

The United Nations plays an "indispensable role" in international affairs, it said.

"UN is the best venue to practice multilateralism, and an effective platform for collective actions to cope with various threats and challenges".

The paper said that the United Nations should "continue to be a messenger for the maintenance of peace", and a "forerunner for the promotion of development promotion".

China welcomes the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, UN Millennium Project Report and the comprehensive report of the UN Secretary-General, the paper said.

"China is ready to work with all other parties to push for positive results of UN reforms and success of the summit in September," it said.

According to the paper, the UN reform, which will be a major topic on a global summit meeting in September to mark its 60th birthday, is urged to follow those principles:

Reforms should be in the interest of multilateralism, and enhance UN's authority and efficiency, as well as its capacity todeal with new threats and challenges.

Reforms should safeguard the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, especially those of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful resolution of conflicts and strengthening international cooperation, etc.

Reforms should be all-dimensional and multi-sectoral, and aim to succeed in both aspects of security and development. Especially,reforms should aim at reversing the trend of "UN giving priority to security over development" by increasing inputs in the field of development and facilitating the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Reforms shall accommodate the propositions and concerns of all UN members, especially those of the developing countries. Reforms should be based on democratic and thorough consultations and the most broadly-based consensus.

Reforms should proceed gradually from tackling more manageable problems to thornier ones and be carried out in a way that will maintain and promote solidarity among members. For those proposals on which consensus has been reached, decision may be made promptly for their implementation; for important issues where division still exists, prudence, continued consultations and consensus-building are called for. It is undesirable to set a time limit or force a decision.

The paper detailed in four parts China's position on UN reforms,including the issues on development, security, rule of law, human rights and democracy, and strengthening the United Nations.

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