On September 2, 2011, the Fourth Lanting Forum with the theme of the 40th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). About 200 people, including Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hailong and representatives of the foreign diplomats in China, business communities, distinguished experts and scholars as well as journalists attended the Forum. It is co-hosted by the UN Association of China (UNA-China) and the Public Diplomacy Office of the MFA's Information Department and chaired by UNA-China President Chen Jian.

In his keynote speech delivered to the Forum, Wu Hailong comprehensively reviewed and summarized the journey and the notable achievements of China's participation in the UN affairs since the restoration of its lawful seat in the organization and expressed expectations of the future development of the UN. He pointed out that the restoration of China's lawful seat in the UN is an epoch-making event which opened a new chapter in the relationship between the two sides. Over the past 40 years, China has taken an active part in the UN' work across all the fields of political security, economic development, human rights and society, arms control and disarmament, treaties and laws, which has shown the distinct changes in the relations between China and the rest of the world and vividly depicted China's continuous integration into the international system and active involvement in the economic globalization. Such participation has not only exerted a deep impact on China's development but also greatly enriched the ideas and practices of the UN and promoted its progress.

China's UN diplomacy has distinctive characteristics. First, China has always abided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and safeguarded the international laws and norms governing international relations; second, China has always advocated multilateralism and upheld the UN' central role in international affairs; third, China has always viewed itself as a developing country and defended the common interests of developing nations; fourth, China has always adhered to the independent foreign policy of peace and played the role of a constructive and responsible big country; fifth, China has always been committed to promoting reform and improvement of the multilateral institutions and upheld the authority and effectiveness of the UN.

Under new circumstances, the era of globalization calls for global cooperation and makes multilateralism a must for all nations. The UN, as the most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental organization, should make great efforts in the following areas for its future development: continue to push for the peaceful solution of hot spot issues, remain committed to the international cooperation on development, promote social development and progress of human rights, uphold the authority and efficacy of the international regimes on arms control, disarmament and proliferation prevention, continue to maintain the international judicial justice and advance the reasonable and necessary reforms.

After 40 years of exchanges and cooperation, China's understanding of the UN has never been more comprehensive, participation in the UN affairs has never been deeper and contribution to the UN has never been greater than what it is today. China is full of confidence in the future of the UN as well as in its cooperation with the organization. China will make greater contributions to the noble cause of the UN of safeguarding world peace, promoting common development and advancing international cooperation.

Wu also answered questions of the guests and journalists on the status and role of the UN under new situation, the UN' reform, relations between the UN and other multilateral mechanisms like the G20 and China's role in the UN.

Vice President of the School of International Studies of Peking University Wang Yizhou, Vice President of China Foreign Affairs University Zheng Qirong, Vice President of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations Wang Zaibang and President of the Institute of International Relations of Beijing Foreign Studies University Li Yonghui addressed the topics of China's involvement in the UN' cooperation in the political, security, development and social sectors respectively and answered questions.