UN chief hopes visit will strengthen ties

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-30  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed hope that his visit to China this week will contribute to a stronger partnership between China and the UN.

Ban said that China, as one of the permanent members of the Security Council, "has been paying important contributions to all the agendas of the United Nations."

"I am going to discuss with the Chinese leadership on furthering an even stronger partnership between the United Nations and China," Ban said.

His three-day visit begins tomorrow. Ban praised China's participation in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance, commending the Chinese government for "a very active role and contribution" in the search for a solution to Sudan's Darfur issue.

China has dispatched engineers, he said, adding that the Chinese government has recently agreed to relocate an engineering team from southern Sudan to Darfur. "This is very much appreciated."

He also affirmed China's "very significant role" in urging the Sudanese government to listen to outside opinion by appointing a special envoy on the Darfur issue.

The UN chief expressed appreciation of the relief efforts by the Chinese government following the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province.

China has shown "examples" of how a nation should address natural disasters, he said. "These kinds of lessons or experiences can also be shared by other countries."

He also praised preparations for the Beijing Olympics. "The Chinese people should be very proud of what you have done in preparing for the Olympic Games. I am quite convinced that this Games will be one of the most successful."