Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Saturday that the United Nations should take the concerns and interests of developing nations into "serious consideration" when conducting UN reforms. He said the UN reform should be conducted with the principles of democracy and consultation.  

Tang made the remarks in a meeting with Jean Ping, president of the 59th UN General Assembly.

Developing nations, which include more than two thirds of the UN's members, have been asking the United Nations to change its focus from peace keeping to development, in the hope of turning the organization into "a key platform for North-South dialogue and South-South cooperation," Tang said.

"The United Nations should fully consider the concerns and interests of developing nations, listen more to their voices and increase their representation in the UN," Tang said.

He also suggested the UN should increase investment in issues concerning development and make the promotion of the Millennium Development Goals the key point of next year's UN summit meeting.

Tang said the UN faces many challenges as well as historical opportunities. "Next year is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. All parties concerned should take this opportunity to reaffirm their commitments to the UN Charter and jointly reinforce the role of the United Nations," he said.

Jean Ping, also Gabon's foreign minister, said he highly appreciated China's support to the United Nations and to the work of the UN General Assembly.

He said he was eager to improve communication and coordination with China to push for "positive results" in the UN reforms.

He also said that the UN General Assembly will continue to abide by the one-China policy, the UN Charter and the No. 2758 Resolution of the UN General Assembly.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2004)