China Assumes Rotating President of UN Security Council with Focus on Africa and Middle East

Chinese Translation of the Week

China's permanent representative to the United Nations Liu Jieyi said on November 4 that China will fulfill its duty as the rotating president of the UN Security Council in November in an objective and impartial manner, so as to effectively maintain international peace and security.

新华网联合国１１月４日电（记者倪红梅　顾震球）中国常驻联合国代表刘结一４日说，作为安理会本月轮值主席国，中方将坚持客观公正、务实高效、透明开放原则，确保安理会各项工作顺利进行，积极履行维护国际和平与安全的职责。

This article has been translated from Mandarin. Click here to read the original version on Xinhua News.

Liu organized the consultations of the Security Council in the same day, and passed the work plan for November. He noted that the Council's workload in November is very heavy. It includes nearly 30 conferences covering more than 20 topics. Issues regarding Africa and Middle East will be the priorities for the Council in this month.

In terms of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s proceedings against Kenyan President, Liu said that African countries have already circulated related draft resolutions to the Security Council with the requirements to defer the trial. The Council will have consultations on the drafts. China believes that the Security Council should support the efforts of regional organizations to maintain peace and security in their region according to the UN Charter. The African Union has made extraordinary contributions to solve the conflicts in Africa, and the Council should listen to and respect their views. Kenya has played a significant role in maintaining regional stability, mediating regional hotspot issues and fighting against terrorism. The Security Council should acknowledge those contributions, and work to ensure that the Kenyan leaders can concentrate on discharging their constitutional duties. International judicial institutions need to fully respect the judicial sovereignty and abide by the norms in international relations. They should also respect the judicial traditions and practical needs of the countries or regions involved. The Kenyan leaders were democratically elected by the Kenyan people, and their dignity should be fully protected and respected. China is a good friend and good partner of African countries. China understands the concerns of Kenya and the African Union, and supports the Security Council to make positive response to the pleas of the African Union.

Liu also answered reporters' questions regarding Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Lebanon, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Congo (DRC) and many other hot issues. Previously, he reported to other UN members about the November work plan of the Security Council.

Article translated by Laiyin Yuan, Staff Intern for the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Wilson Center.

Photo attributed to Flickr user caseyhelbling.