At a Sunday meeting with Jean Ping, president-elect of the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said that the role of the United Nations is irreplaceable as a venue for advancing democratization and legalization in international relations.

Tang added that the UN is the best stage for implementing multilateralism, as it is the most universal, representative and authoritative inter-governmental organization.

He believes that reform of the UN should enhance its capability to cope with threats and challenges. Reform planners should also consider the rational concern and legal interests of developing countries, so that the UN can strengthen its role in development.

Also during the meeting, Tang restated China's stance on the Taiwan issue. He said that the Chinese people absolutely oppose certain countries' proposals to allow Taiwan to join the United Nations because such a move would violate widely recognized legal principles.

Since the majority of the UN member states will also reject the move, it is doomed to fail, noted Tang.

Ping said that he and the UN General Assembly would adhere to the one-China policy and abide by the UN Charter and Resolution 2758.

During the meeting, Ping noted that China plays an important role in UN affairs and during his tenure as president of the UN General Assembly he intends to keep close contact with China.

Ping, who is also Gabon's minister of foreign affairs, arrived in Beijing Sunday morning for a six-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2004)