The United Nations best represents the international community's aspirations for a world free of the menace of wars and ensuring the well-being of people everywhere.

The restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations 35 years ago made the world organization a truly global one.

In its resolution on restoring China's seat in the UN, the General Assembly took it as essential both for the protection of the UN Charter and for the cause that the UN must serve under the Charter.

Since 1971, the world organization has acknowledged the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the only lawful representative of China and the PRC as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

As the world faces the challenges of achieving fair globalization, promoting multilateralism and protecting the human rights of all people in every country on earth, the engagement of China, the largest developing country in the world, is essential.

China has pulled its efforts to make itself a responsible member of the global village.

China's achievements, from its progress in reducing poverty on a scale that is unprecedented in human history to its pioneering role in co-operation with other developing countries mean a lot to the world.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan hailed China's performance for delivering an increasingly inspiring demonstration of the ability of the world as a whole to reach the Millennium Development Goals. This refers to the targets set by the UN Millennium Summit of 2000 to slash a host of the world's ills, such as extreme hunger and poverty, high infant and maternal mortality rates, and lack of access to education and health care, all by 2015.

In the meantime, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always played an important role in the international community's response to threats against international peace and security.

China has been taking a more direct part in the peace-keeping and other operations mounted by the international community. And it has provided many resources needed in peace operations.

Chinese peace-keeping troops under the UN's blue helmet help end conflicts and war-torn countries rebuild their societies.

Welcoming China's declared intention to be more actively involved in peace-keeping missions, Annan said China's increased participation would "add an important new dimension."

China has understood that its interests, like those of all countries, are increasingly global, not only in terms of trade and development, but also in fighting international crime and terrorism.

The only true basis of an enduring world peace is the willing co-operation of peoples in a world in which, relieved of the menace of conflicts, all may enjoy economic and social security.

The UN was built in 1945 to cut the causes of wars at their roots and shape a better life for all countries and peoples.

It is China's intention to work together with other countries to this end.

(China Daily October 27, 2006)