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)
