Senior UN Official Stresses Reform

The United Nations will have to take steps to reform its current structure and working methods because they are far behind the development of global society, said a senior official of the organization.

Harri Holkeri, president of the 55th Session of the UN General Assembly, made these comments in an exclusive interview with Xinhua Tuesday in Beijing.

Holkeri, who is on an official visit to China, said some changes must be made in various sectors of the UN, including the number of members in the Security Council, the reform of the decision making process, and the working methods of major U.N. institutes.

He also spoke highly of China's role in the UN, the largest and most important inter-governmental organization in the world.

"The United Nations needs China and China needs the UN," he said.

"China is the biggest country in population, and it plays a central role in UN activities," he said, adding that China's support is very important to the UN in the 21st century.

Holkeri described his first China tour as "a wonderful experience." He said he had visited some cultural monuments such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

"You can never get the real feeling when you see these on television and movies. You have to see it with your own eyes, and I have seen a little," said the President.

Holkeri, the former prime minister of Finland, said he was very impressed by the development in China. "It's amazing, really amazing."






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