Chinese President on Ways to Strengthen U.N. Role

Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Thursday offered a four-point view on the strengthening of the United Nations' role in the new century in order to meet the need of the international situation and the requirements of the times.

Addressing the interactive round-table session of the U.N. Millennium Summit, Jiang said that the 55-year-old U.N. should and can play a bigger role in the new century, and that strengthening the world body's role is "the common task" facing all countries in the world.

In his speech, Jiang called for promoting the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, upholding the authority of the Security Council, enhancing the U.N. role in promoting development and promoting the democratic decision-making system in the world body as ways to strengthen its U.N. role.

"We should work together to promote the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter," Jiang said, adding that "Facts have proved that the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter remain valid and relevant."

The Charter is a guide for state-to-state relations and it has identified a road for all countries to follow and set rules for them to abide by, he stressed.

Jiang also urged all countries to work together to uphold the authority of the Security Council.

"It is the primary responsibility and lofty mission of the U.N.Security Council to maintain international peace and security as entrusted by the U.N. charter," he said, adding that it is a solemn commitment of all U.N. member states to ensure the Council fulfill its responsibility.

"The Security Council is the core of the collective security mechanism. Taking unilateral actions by bypassing the Security Council is dangerous and against the will of all member states,"

Jiang warned.

Meanwhile, the Chinese president called for greater role of the U.N. in promoting common development of mankind, one of the purposes for founding the organization, and the promotion of the democratic decision-making system in the world body.

"With such a large membership of 189, the U.N. is in the best position to discuss and address this issue that developing countries are faced with and it should give it top priority," Jiang emphasized.

Jiang said that all the U.N. members, irrespective of their size, strength and wealth, should be treated as equals.

"The reform of the U.N. should reflect fully the common will of its member states," Jiang went on to say. "Particular and adequate attention should be given to the reasonable demands and fundamental interests of the vast majority of developing countries."



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