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)