In the evening of 18 April 2005, China-UN Photo Exhibition sponsored by the Chinese Mission to the United Nations was inaugurated at the UN headquarters in New York. More than 200 guests were present at the ceremony, including UN Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General Chen Jian, Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast, officials from the Department of Public Information, the Department of Political Affairs, and other UN departments, permanent representatives and deputy permanent representatives from over 30 countries such as Italy, Turkey, Pakistan and Algeria, representatives from UNDP and some other UN agencies, and Chinese and foreign reporters stationed at the United Nations.

Ambassador Wang Guangya made opening remarks for the ceremony. He talked about the enormous contributions made by the United Nations over the past 60 years to maintaining world peace and security, promoting international exchanges and cooperation and enhancing world development and progress. He also pointed out that in human history, no organization has ever created such major global influence as the United Nations. As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has always abided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and actively supported and participated in the work of the United Nations in various fields. China has made tireless efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations and realize the noble goal of world peace and human progress. On the occasion of welcoming the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, history calls upon all countries in the world to work together in the spirit of unity and reconciliation originated from the San Francisco Conference to revitalize the United Nations and create a world of peace, democracy, cooperation and prosperity at an early date.

Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor replied on behalf of Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He expressed his thanks on behalf of the United Nations to the Chinese Mission for holding this exhibition. He indicated that as a firm defender of the interests of developing countries and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has been playing a pivotal role in UN affairs. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, countries in the world are jointly committed to UN reforms so as to respond to the challenges in the 21st century. The international community expects China to continue to play an important role.

China-UN photo exhibition is held by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 60 photos shown at the exhibition not only reflect many invaluable historical records, such as representative of the Chinese Communist Party signing on the UN Charter, restoration of the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China at the 26th session of the General Assembly, Chinese state and government leaders participating in UN conferences and successive UN Secretary-Generals visiting China, but also demonstrate quite comprehensively China's extensive participation in and active support to the work of the United Nations in peacekeeping operations, disarmament, economic and social development, and human rights. The exhibition will remain open until April 29.

The invited guests showed great interest in the exhibition. They highly acclaimed the contributions made by China to the United Nations, hoping to see even more active and extensive role played by China in the UN and world affairs.

Remarks by Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya at Photo Exhibition "China and the UN"

Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor,
Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast,
Under-Secretary-General Chen Jian,
Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. Thank you all for coming.

Sixty years ago, representatives of 50 countries gathered in San Francisco and solemnly signed on the Charter of the United Nations, the "bible" of our modern political and international relations. They made the commitments to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to achieve lasting peace and create a better world. Six decades have passed. We have witnessed the growth and indispensable role of the United Nations, in safeguarding world peace and security, in enhancing international exchanges and cooperation, and in promoting economic development and social progress. In human history, no organization is as widely representative as the United Nations, and no one has ever exerted such profound influence as this Organization. Of course, the path of the United Nations over the past 60 years is not a smooth one. Today, it once again comes to a fork. History is calling on us to act in the same spirit of San Francisco, the spirit of unity and reconciliation, to carry out reforms and revitalize our Organization, to make it stronger to build a more peaceful, democratic, cooperative and prosperous world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sixty years ago, after going through the bitter experience of foreign aggression and the two world wars, the Chinese people firmly made the United Nations their choice. As a founding member of the San Francisco Conference, China played an important part in the creation of the Untied Nations. In 1971, the historic Resolution 2758 was adopted with an overwhelming majority at the 26th session of the UN General Assembly, settling once and for all the question of China's representation in the United Nations. The People's Republic of China has since then become an active player on the UN arena. As a permanent member of the Security Council and the largest developing country in the world, China has strictly abided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We have taken a vigorous part in all fields of the United Nations, and made tireless efforts to reinforce its role and promote the noble cause of world peace and human progress.

Today's exhibition offers a glimpse of the relations between China and the United Nations. We take it as a small way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of our Organization. Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to express my special thanks to the Secretariat for its support to this exhibition. My thanks also go to UN Photo Library for providing us with some valuable photos.

Thank you.