China will support UN and its secretary-general in playing their important role in international affairs, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing Monday.

 

Tang told visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that all parties should actively, substantively and steadily promote the reform process.

 

"Reforms should emphasize finding solutions to help the vast developing countries and strengthening the UN's role in the development field," he said.

 

As global threats and challenges keep growing, countries should stick to multilateral cooperation and take collective actions to deal with the challenges, Tang said.

 

Annan said UN reform has made positive progress under joint efforts of China and other parties. However, there is still a long way to go.

 

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the largest developing country, plays a "constructive" and "unique" role in international affairs, he said.

 

Annan hopes China will continue to promote consensus making and facilitate the UN reform process.

 

Turning to the Iran nuclear issue, Tang said the Chinese government believes there is still room for a political solution to the issue.

 

Tang said the Iran nuclear issue concerned the authority and efficiency of the international non-proliferation mechanism.

 

"It also concerns the peace and stability of the Middle East as well as international energy security," Tang said in their official talks.

 

"It is pivotal for the relevant parties to continue dialogue and negotiation, to increase trust and find a solution with broad support," he said.

 

Annan said he expected enhanced coordination and cooperation between the UN and China on the Iran nuclear issue.

 

He said China's attitude and role were "very important" in solving the issue, which concerned the peace and stability of the Middle East and the world at large.

 

They also exchanged views on UN reform, the situation in the Middle East and Sudan's Darfur issue.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2006)