China congratulated South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon on being elected the next UN secretary-general, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said today.

 

The UN General Assembly yesterday appointed by acclamation Ban as the world body's next secretary-general to succeed Kofi Annan when he steps down on December 31.

 

Annan congratulated Ban on his appointment. "I think everyone here recognizes the depth of your experience, the breadth of your connections, and your ability to operate effectively at the highest levels," he said. 

 

Ban said he was honored to become the second Asian to lead the UN following U Thant of Myanmar who served the world body four decades ago, adding that Asia is dynamic and diverse, and Asia aspires to take on greater responsibilities for the world.

 

Ban noted that the UN's core mission in the previous century was to keep countries from fighting each other; in the new century, the defining mandate is to strengthen the inter-state system so that humanity may be better served amidst new challenges.

 

He pledged to seek to build consensus through a free exchange of ideas and critiques and make himself accessible and proactive in reaching out to all stakeholders.

(Photo source: The Naeil Newspaper Co Ltd)

US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said on behalf of his country that the US believes Ban is the right person to lead the UN at this decisive moment in its history, particularly as the UN is struggling to fulfill the terms of the reform agenda that world leaders agreed last fall.

"We are confident that Foreign Minister Ban will both represent and instill the highest standards of integrity within the UN system," he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2006)