BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhuanet) -- China supports Germany to play a greater role in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang here Thursday. 

    When asked to make comments on Germany's candidacy for a permanent seat at the Security Council, Qin said China is willing to maintain contact and consultations with Germany on the United Nations reforms.

    Germany is an important member of the European Union, and with adherence to peaceful development, Germany plays an active role in international affairs, which is acknowledged by the international community, Qin said.

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's report on reforming the United Nations has been under discussion at the General Assembly. Qin said the UN reforms cover various fields and levels, and China supports reforms of the UN Security Council.

    Qin said China believes that the priority of the Security Council reforms should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries.

    Views from all concerned parties should be taken into account in the discussion on the matter, and the reforms should be decided through consultation and with consensus, Qin said.

    China is not in favor of setting an artificial time limit for the Security Council reform or forcing a hasty vote, he noted. 

     Nigerian president's China visit, Sino-African ties    

    China hopes Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's current visit to China can further advance Sino-Nigerian relations.

    Qin briefed Obasanjo's ongoing visit at a routine news conference. Invited by Chinese President Hu Jintao, President Obasanjo arrived here Thursday morning for a four-day state visit to China.

    Obasanjo is visiting China in the capacity of both the Nigerian president and rotating president of the African Union, said Qin. During his visit, Obasanjo will confer with Chinese leaders on bilateral relations, Sino-African cooperation and international and regional issues of common concern, and the two sides will also sign some cooperation documents.

    Besides Beijing, Obasanjo will also travel to central Hubei Province and Shanghai metropolis in east China.

    Commenting on Sino-African relations, Qin said it has made great achievements in recent years. China and African countries kept frequent high-level visits and their trade and economic cooperation has been expanded.

    The establishment of China-Africa Cooperation Forum in the year2000 has actively promoted mutual understanding and bilateral win-win cooperation, Qin acknowledged.

    "China will, as always, expand its friendly cooperative relations with African nations on the basis of Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence," the spokesman said.  

 Policy on Vatican

    China's basic principles in dealing with its relationship with Vatican "remain unchanged".

    Qin made the remark at a routine press conference in reply to areporter's question. He said China hopes Vatican will take "concrete actions to create conditions to improve bilateral relations instead of setting new obstacles for it."

    He said China has persistently followed two principles in dealing with relations with Vatican. Vatican should first of all sever its "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan; Secondly, it should promise not to interfere in China's internal affairs, including any intervention on the pretext of religious activities.   Enditem