Visiting Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations said in Beijing Sunday that China and the UN have established partnership in an age for countries and organizations in the world to establish partnership with one another.

Annan said this at a seminar with the theme of "the UN in the 21st century". The seminar is chaired by Song Jian, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Annan, on his fourth trip to China in the capacity of the UN Secretary-General, recalled last year's UN Millennium Summit, saying it is "a historical meeting", and the "United Nations Millennium Declaration" passed at the summit contributes to poverty eradication, environmental protection and legal enforcement.

He held that management should be strengthened within and among the nations through promoting correct mechanism, the rule according to law, and human rights. As the globalization prevails, the international law will play a bigger role, and the principles of the UN charter and other norms of the international laws should be respected by all the countries.

The Secretary-General noted that the environment issue is one of the most urgent issues facing the world, and other problems like education, women and AIDS also trouble the human being. Only all nations cooperate could they deal with the challenge.

Song Jian said that the UN has make great contributions to safeguarding peace and stability, expanding exchanges, and promoting development over the past years.

Prior to the seminar, Song met with Annan. Some members of the Subcommittee of Foreign Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee exchanged views with Annan on the role of the UN in the 21st century, and the realization of the UN Millennium Declaration.

(Xinhua 01/21/2001)