The statement came as Shen Guofang, the deputy Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations was taking the floor at the plenary session of the General Assembly. The session discussed the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council, which currently has 15 members.

"Over the past 50 years and more since the inception of the United Nations, great changes have taken place in the international situation and the United Nations as well," he said.

"In our view, the Security Council does need appropriate and necessary reforms in order to adapt itself to these changes and the needs of the times, and to fulfill more effectively its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," he said.

The most notable change in the world body itself over the past five decades has been the growth of its membership from 51 at the time of its establishment to the present 189, most of which are developing countries, making the United Nations truly the most representative inter-governmental international organization in the world, he noted.

"Therefore, the overriding priority in the reform of the council is to correct the imbalance of its composition and increase the representation of developing countries in accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution so that the composition of the council will reflect the reality of the membership of the United Nations," he said.

"Only by doing so can the reform be of practical significance and conform to the common aspirations and interests of all member states," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2001)