Advance the Reform Process Through Democratic Consultation

New York, September 15 ,2005

Mr. President,
Distinguished Colleagues,

It gives me great pleasure to attend this Round Table and talk about the reform of the United Nations.

The new international situation presents new challenges to the United Nations. We should seize the historic opportunity to introduce rational and necessary reforms to the organization so that it can better fulfill its mandate under the Charter. Here I would like to make four observations.

First, keep focused on the overall interests while adhering to principles. The UN reform bears on the future and destiny of the organization, we should therefore proceed from the present conditions, take a long-term perspective, and handle it properly with a highly responsible attitude towards people of all countries. The reform should help uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, enable this world body to play a bigger role and safeguard the common interests of the member states. This is an important yardstick against which all reform proposals should be measured.

Second, promote democracy and conduct extensive consultation. Since the UN reform bears on the vital interests of various parties, it is necessary to have full deliberation and extensive consultation where opinions of different parties are respected and concerns mutually accommodated. Only by so doing can the reform gain extensive support and enjoy a solid foundation.

Third, make gradual progress in an active and prudent manner. There is indeed a sense of urgency to the UN reform. Nevertheless, the more urgent the task is, the more important it is to keep a right speed and guard against rashness, bearing in mind the saying: "more haste, less speed". For proposals on which consensus has been or can be reached, decisions may be made promptly for their implementation without delay. For proposals where major differences still exist, further exchange of views may be conducted to seek consensus. In this way, it will be possible to produce more results in reform while maintaining membership unity and ensure that the results can withstand the test of time and practice.

Fourth, advance reform on all fronts with clearly defined priorities. Spanning across such areas as security, development, rule of law and institutional reform, the UN reform needs an integrated approach. Since developing countries account for two-thirds of the UN membership, their views should be taken into full account and their interests truly safeguarded. Herein lies the key to the success of UN reform. Giving developing countries greater representation and say in the UN, increasing UN's input to the question of development and realizing the Millennium Development Goals on schedule, these should be placed on the very top of the reform agenda.

Mr. President,

Distinguished Colleagues,

China is firmly committed to UN reform. China stands ready to join hands with other member states in promoting a sound progress of the reform, thus enabling the UN to make greater contribution to the lofty cause of peace and development for mankind.

Thank you.