China Supports Annan's Bid for Second TermChina supports U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan to serve for a second term, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said here Thursday.Zhang said at a routine press conference that the Chinese side speaks highly of Annan's great efforts to maintain peace, promote development, strengthen the U.N.'s role and safeguard its authority since he took office at the beginning of 1997. "The Chinese government has decided to support Annan in his bid for reelection for a consecutive term, and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has so informed Annan in a letter," she said. The spokeswoman said China has always called for enhancing the U.N.'s role and has made due efforts in this regard. China believes the United Nations, as the most important and authoritative inter-governmental international organization, has played an irreplaceable role in maintaining peace and promoting development, she said. The U.N. and the U.N. Charter are indispensable to the establishment of a more peaceful, prosperous and equitable world, Zhang said, stressing that the Chinese side is willing to work with other nations and Annan himself in further promoting the U.N. 's role in the new century and making even more contribution to the world's peace and development. On March 22, Annan announced that he would run for a second term as U.N. secretary-general, and his decision won unanimous support from the African countries. |
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