Representation of developing countries, particularly the African countries, should be increased in the Security Council, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Monday.

Addressing the general debate of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly, Li said China supports the reform of the Security Council aimed to strengthen its authority and efficiency and improve its working methods.

"Representation of developing countries, particularly the African countries, should be increased so that small and medium-sized countries will have more say in the decision-making of the council," he stressed.

Li said that no reform proposal can work that only addresses the concerns of a few countries in disregard of the interests of the majority of countries and treats unfairly developing countries in Africa and other parts of the world.

"China supports the principle of cooperation based on democratic consultation," he noted. "As the reform bears on the future of the UN and the interests of various parties, there should be no artificial time frame or forced voting."

"Instead, the member states should seek consensus through dialogue and consultation and in accordance with the principle of democratic international relations," Li stressed.

He also urged the current session to give focus on Africa, saying if there is no stability in Africa, the world would have no peace, and if Africa remains poor, there would be no development for the world.

"The Security Council should pay special attention to African problems and give them the priority on its agenda," he said.

"This does not only mean devoting more meetings to African issues at the council, but more importantly, taking concrete actions to heed the voice of Africa, respect its views and accommodate its concerns," he added.

The international community should reach global consensus on African development and help the continent realize the Millennium Development Goals on schedule by implementing the New Partnership for African Development, he added.

"Assistance must be wholehearted and respect the right of African countries to make their own decisions," he concluded. "Assistance is by no means alms or gifts conferred on the recipients. Instead, it is an answer to the call of reality for mutual benefit and common development."

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2005)