After a closed-door meeting Wednesday with other opposing countries, China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said the resolution by the Group of Four or G-4 (Germany, Japan, Brazil and India) is dangerous. UN members are divided on it and China will oppose it.  

The G-4 countries circulated a resolution on May 16. It said the new permanent members should have "the same responsibilities and obligations" as the existing veto-wielding permanent members: China, the United States, Russia, Britain and France.

Wu Miaofa, a researcher from China Institute of International Studies, said Wang's announcement reflects the resolute stance of China.

"The proposal by the G-4 has several fundamental problems," Wu said. "It skips the regional panel discussions, which made it not authoritative at all. The candidate countries themselves draft the short list. All these actions are unprecedented in the UN democratic history and are setting up a bad example. It will harm the solidarity and integrity of the United Nations."

After 60 years of development, the UN is in desperate need of reform to adapt itself to the changing world. The reform has been discussed since 1993 by a special task force set up under the UN General Assembly.

But, meanwhile, it's agreed that decisions should be based on extensive discussions from UN member nations.

Wu said any hasty decisions on the Security Council's expansion would be detrimental to all member states and the process of the reform.

"China supports a healthy reform of the UN. We oppose setting a timetable for the process, because it needs sufficient democratic discussions and consultations among its member countries," Wu said.

Expansion of the Security Council is an issue concerning the future of the UN and the immediate interests of every country.

However, experts said it may take a lot of efforts and time.

(CRI.com June 3, 2005)