The Foreign Ministry yesterday reiterated China's stance on a
possible reform of the UN Security Council, saying a consensus is
necessary before any resolution is made.
"China opposes pushing forward any reform plan with major
disagreements," said ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
Japan has been seeking China's support in its bid to get a
permanent seat in the Security Council.
In a joint press statement during Premier Wen Jiabao's
"ice-thawing" visit to Japan last week, Beijing and Tokyo agreed to
enhance dialogue and communication to reach a consensus on a
possible reform in the Security Council.
Also, the two sides confirmed the building up of a strategic and
mutually beneficial relationship.
China's position on the issue remains unchanged, Liu said. The
country supports necessary and rational reform of the Security
Council.
China is now the only Asian country in the UN with veto
powers.
"It needs extensive, patient and democratic discussions to reach
unanimous agreements and find a solution that could be accepted by
all," Liu said. At present there are deep differences among all the
sides.
Turning to the Darfur issue, Liu said the agreement among Sudan,
the African Union (AU) and the UN to allow 3,000 of the world
body's troops and equipment in Darfur is a positive move toward
peace in the region.
US President George W. Bush, however, threatened on Wednesday to
beef up economic sanctions and impose new punishments if Sudan
fails to take concrete action to meet its obligations over Darfur
crisis.
"It's time to undertake constructive measures to implement the
agreement, instead of talking about new sanctions," Liu said.
Liu also announced that Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay
will visit from April 29 to May 1 at the invitation of his Chinese
counterpart Li Zhaoxing.
(China Daily April 20, 2007)
