Visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday spoke highly
of China's promotion of world peace and development, saying the UN
expects the country to play an even greater role in international
affairs.
Annan made the remark while meeting with President Hu Jintao in Beijing on the first day of an
official visit to China.
Hu said the world body needs to continue its reforms to improve
efficiency so that the aspirations of developing countries can be
better reflected.
"Development should be a top priority," Hu said. "Efforts should
be made to create an international environment that supports the
growth of developing countries and promotes economic globalization
that is mutually beneficial."
Annan arrived in Beijing yesterday afternoon. China is the third
leg of his five-nation Asian tour, which has already taken him to
South Korea and Japan. He will also visit Thailand and Vietnam.
Hu and Annan also exchanged views on international issues such
as the Iranian nuclear crisis.
On Thursday, Annan urged all sides to tone down the rhetoric
over Iran and negotiate face to face.
He also called for a resumption of the six-party talks on the
nuclear disarmament of the Korean Peninsula, which have stalled
since last November after the US imposed financial sanctions on
Pyongyang over money laundering and counterfeiting allegations.
Annan is also scheduled to meet Premier Wen Jiabao.
The candidates to be the next secretary-general might also be
among the topics in his meetings with Chinese leaders.
Annan, 68, will complete his term at the end of this year.
He said on Thursday in Tokyo that most nations believe his
successor should come from Asia. "It is a practice that we have
rotated it over the years from one region to another," Annan told
reporters.
The world's largest continent has not had a UN chief since U
Thant of Burma (now Myanmar) finished his second term in 1971.
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, whom Annan met
earlier this week, has announced his candidacy.
Other possible Asian candidates include Thai Deputy Prime
Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala,
an adviser to President Mahinda Rajapakse.
(China Daily May 20, 2006)