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 China's Foreign Ministry spokesman
Kong Quan answers questions at a regular press conference, June
2.
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BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhuanet) -- China voiced
opposition Thursday to forced voting on any resolution about the expansion of
the UN Security Council (UNSC) that might undermine the unity of UN member
countries or the process of UN reform.
"The Security Council reform is
an issue of major importance that concerns the immediate interests of
every country. It needs extensive, transparent discussions and unanimous
agreements so as to find a converging point and compromised plan," China's
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at a regular press conference.
"That is the only way that can be truly conducive to
the UN reform, to helping the UN play effective and authoritative role inworld
affairs and maintaining unity among the UN member countries," he said.
Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, known as the Group
of Four or G-4, circulated a draft resolution on May 16 proposing giving the
four countries permanent seats in the Security Council along with two African
countries. They have indicated they will put it to a vote by the General
Assembly in June.
China's UN Ambassador, Wang Guangya, said in New York
Wednesday that China will use its veto power if the G-4 put the resolution to a
vote next week because the UN member states are divided into two opposite groups
by the resolution.
Kong reiterated China's stance on the UN Security
Council reform, saying that China supports the reform of the Security Council.
He said the reform should help enhance the authority
and efficiency of the Security Council. He said its biggest priority should be
increasing the representation of developing countries.
Kong said the reform should give more opportunities
to middle and small-sized countries to participate in the decision-making ofthe
UN Security Council and should adhere to the principle of keeping balance among
regions and take into account the representation of different cultures and
civilizations.
He also pointed out that the Security Council reform
is only one part of the UN reform.
"We feel worried about the present situation in which
the reform of the Security Council has been over-emphasized by some relevant
parties while other UN reforms have been overlooked," he added.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in the UN reform
report submitted to the General Assembly in March, proposed to make a decision
on council expansion before September.
While addressing the 59th session of the General
Assembly, Wang Guangya said that China supports reforms of the Security Council,
but objects to setting a timetable for the process or forcing a vote on reform
plan lacking consensus.
Germany, Japan, India and Brazil announced an
alliance in September last year to support each other for their inclusion in the
UN Security Council as permanent members.
The G-4 resolution needs to be approved by at least two-thirds of the 191 UN member states to be adopted.
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