China on Thursday called for a greater representation of developing countries, in particular those from Africa, in a reformed UN Security Council.

"In the reform of the Security Council, priority should be given to the greater representation of developing countries, in particular African ones," China's UN Ambassador Zhang Yesui told an informal plenary of the General Assembly.

With developing countries accounting for the vast majority of the UN's 192 member states, the composition of the Security Council can no longer reflect the political reality of the United Nations, he said.

Therefore, it is imperative to resolve the issue of under-representation of developing countries in the Security Council, he noted.

Zhang said that the reform of the Security Council, which concerns the common interests of all member states, is a complex and sensitive issue that requires a long-term solution.

China hopes that all parties, through serious and patient negotiations, will eventually find a proposal that is acceptable to all, he added.

At the plenary session, the UN General Assembly opened intergovernmental negotiations on the reform of the Security Council.

According to the sketch of a "roadmap" unveiled by General Assembly President Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, the first round of negotiations will be held in March and April to discuss the key issues related to the Council's reform, with a second round slated for May.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2009)