On November 25, the General Assembly considered agenda item 122 "Question of Equitable Representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council". Ambassador Zhang Jun elaborated China’s position and emphasized that “China supports reasonable and necessary reform of the Security Council to meet the needs of the times. Priority should be given to increasing representation and say of developing countries, especially African countries.”

Ambassador Zhang Jun said, the year 2020 marks the 75th years anniversary of the founding of the UN and the end of WWII. The UN, a major outcome of WWII, came after the fight against fascism in which so many people made the ultimate sacrifice. As the core of the international collective security mechanism, the Security Council has played an irreplaceable role in maintaining international peace and security and in preventing another world war. We must learn from history and war and reflect on the causes of war, support the status and role of the UN and uphold the core values of the UN Charter to shape a better future free from the scourge of war for generations to come.

Ambassador Zhang Jun pointed out, most of the UN members are small and medium sized countries. However, till now, 63 countries have never made their way to the Security Council. Some of the small and medium sized countries get a seat at the Council every 40 to 50 years. This is regrettable and unfair. Reform must increase the opportunities for the small and medium sized countries to sit in the Council and participate in its decision-making process. This is the only way to make the Council more democratic, transparent and efficient.

Ambassador Zhang Jun emphasized, multilateralism is under attack. The most needed for the UN is unity and cooperation. Security Council reform concerns the vital interests of all UN member states and the future of the UN, and will lead to major adjustment of the global governance system and international order. In-depth communication and democratic consultation is needed to find a package solution that accommodates interests and concerns of all parties and enjoys the widest possible political consensus and receives the support of all member states.

Ambassador Zhang Jun stressed, the IGN is the only legitimate platform for discussion among member states on Security Council reform. Currently, the parties have serious disagreements on the general direction and approach of reform. This said, rushing into text-based negotiation, setting artificial timeline, or even trying to force through any premature reform proposal would do no good to the sound development of the reform process. That would only aggravate division, and cause conflict or even confrontation. China is opposed to such attempts.

Ambassador Zhang Jun said, China calls upon all member states to demonstrate political will, engage in IGN during this GA session actively and constructively and work towards the widest possible consensus. China is ready to work with all parties to take the reform in a direction that serves the fundamental interests of all member states and the long-term interests of the UN.