As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China promotes multilateralism in safeguarding the authority of the UN, advocates a just and rational world political order, and devotes itself to promoting democratized and law-based international relations. China acts as a responsible power in international affairs and actively takes part in UN peacekeeping missions. In 2004, the first Chinese contingent of civil police headed for Haiti to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission.

In January, President Hu Jintao held friendly talks with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Paris, France. In April, the Senior Officials' Meeting and Ministerial Meeting of the 60th Session of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) were held in Shanghai. In August, Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with Jean Ping, President of the 59th UN General Assembly. In October 2004, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan visited China and attended celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of cooperation between China and UN agencies in China. China worked with the UN in many aspects of the Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts and was an active participant in the UN Meeting on Humanitarian Assistance to Tsunami-affected Communities.