Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen stressed on November 16 that despite an international situation which has undergone profound changes at the turn of the century, relevant UN principles are not yet out-of-date and should be followed.

Qian made the remarks in a meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan this evening, according to sources from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

He noted both the opportunities and challenges encountered by the United Nations (UN), and said that China values and supports the UN in playing its due role in international issues, according to its charter principles.

"Any acts to bypass and disregard the UN will go nowhere," he warned, saying that history has proved that all countries around the world need the UN and the role of the U.N. is irreplaceable.

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to safeguard the prestige of the UN and the authority of the Security Council, Qian said.

Qian welcomed Annan on his third visit to China and praised Annan's efforts as the UN secretary-general to help highlight the role of the UN and promote world peace and development.

The vice-premier said that since Annan assumed his post nearly three years ago, he has been instrumental in helping the international community to focus more on development and other issues of importance to developing countries.

Annan expressed his gratitude for the Chinese government's strong UN support over the years, and said that the whole world needs to work together through the UN, a global forum, to solve the problems facing mankind.

He said he hopes that leaders of all countries will reach a consensus on the UN's role in the new century at the organization's millennium conference scheduled for September 2000.

Annan also congratulated China on the China-US agreement on China's entry into the World Trade Organization, and said he hopes that negotiations between China and some other parties will be concluded soon.

He said he hopes that a new round of trade negotiations to be held in Seattle, the US, will be successful, enabling developing countries to enter the global market fairly.