China hopes the blue-ribbon panel on United Nations reform will
raise strategic suggestions for the UN to counter universal threats
and challenges, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in a Tuesday
meeting with Anand Panyarachun, former prime minister of Thailand
and chairman of the panel.
The 16-member panel, appointed by UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan last November, looks into new global security threats and
sets forth proposals on UN reform and the reinforcement of the UN's
role.
Tang said that the UN is faced with a fast-changing
international situation and complicated issues, and must keep in
step with changing times.
Reform should help the United Nations exert influence and
reinforce the authority of the Security Council, he said.
The reform should also balance problems of security and
development, taking into consideration the reasonable concerns and
legal rights of developing countries, Tang noted.
Anand briefed Tang on the work of the panel, saying that it will
submit reports to the secretary-general at the end of this
year.
He also spoke highly of China's support for the United Nations
and the panel.
Panel members include China's former Vice Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, Arab League Secretary-General Amer
Moussa and former US National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft.
(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2004)