Addressing the general debate of the 59th UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said China supports necessary and rational reforms of the UN, and that such reforms enhance the UN's leading role in international affairs, reinforcing its capacity to tackle new threats and challenges, and making it better reflect the aspiration and needs of the vast majority of developing countries.

"China is in favor of expanding the Security Council and giving priority to greater representation of the 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 to be reviewed by member states," said Li.

He pointed out that cooperation is an effective way to cope with common challenges facing humanity and that to strengthen international cooperation, multilateralism must advance.

The UN, as the center of international multilateral mechanisms, is the key platform for making multilateralism work.

Li pointed out that the threats and challenges facing the international community make it imperative to strengthen the role of the UN. "A stronger UN is indispensable for maintaining global peace and stability and promoting the common development of humanity. All member states should honor their commitments to the UN Charter and fulfill their international responsibilities and obligations,"he stated.

Meanwhile, Li said, China is working for world peace, common development and international cooperation.

China calls for a coordinated, balanced and sustainable development that serves the fundamental interests of all peoples and works for their well-being, said Li. Lasting peace and stability throughout the world hinges on coordinated, balanced and universal development.

He noted that to promote economic growth worldwide, the international community must put in place an open and fair multilateral trading regime, and reform and improve the international financial system.

Li urged developed countries to honor with concrete action their commitments to reduce debt, transfer technology and open markets to enable developing countries to benefit from globalization.

He called on the developing countries to work together to advance, to participate in a wide range of international endeavors and to deepen South-South cooperation.

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

Li suggested that the UN should mobilize resources, strengthen coordination and increase input in to help member states achieve the Millennium Development Goals as scheduled.

China stands for a new concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation in tackling security issues and promoting world peace, said Li.

He said this new concept calls on nations to transcend their ideological and social differences, respect each other's security interests, promote greater democracy in international relations and seek peaceful solutions to disputes through dialogue.

"Without a peaceful and stable international environment, development is out of the question for any country. A chaotic world benefits no one," said Li.

He said that China stands firmly opposed to terrorism in all forms and manifestations. The optimum way to quell it is to increase international cooperation and address the causes as well as the symptoms of the threat. "Only when the root cause of terrorism is eradicated can people live in peace and tranquility again," he added.

Controlling proliferation of weapons of mass destruction requires the 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."

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 also reiterated China's policies 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 called on the international community to understand the complex and sensitive nature of the cross-Straits situation and the serious threat posed by the separatist activities of the Taiwan authorities to stability and peace in the 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.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2004)