Wen's UN visit shows China's support for development goals

Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at the high-level dialogue of the United Nations shows China's firm support in realizing the Millennium Development Goals , Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said here on Friday.

"This is Premier Wen's first attendance at the UN meeting and an initial diplomatic move after the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics," he told a press briefing.

Wen will attend the UN high-level meeting on the MDGs scheduled for Sept. 25 in New York, which takes place alongside the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, where about 140 heads of states and government will be present.

"The UN meeting this year will focus on how the MDGs work and how much of their aid commitments the developed nations have honored," said He.

The MDGs are social and economic targets formulated by the United Nations that aim to halve extreme poverty by 2015.

Wen will deliver an important speech during the high-level dialogue, describing what China has done to realize the MDGs and the difficulties it has faced, according to He.

Wen will also give suggestions on dealing with the development challenges and difficulties facing all nations.

Wen will deliver another important speech during the UN general debate, explaining China's domestic and foreign policy.

Wen will reaffirm China's determination to pursue peaceful development, reform and opening up, as well as an independent foreign policy of peace, He said.

During his 48-hour stay in New York, Wen will meet foreign leaders, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and some overseas Chinese. He will also meet the local press.

According to He, China will release a report on its implementation of the MDGs in New York during Wen's stay. He said China had submitted a document to all UN members explaining its stance on the main issues of concern to the 63rd UN National Assembly, which could be found on the website of the Foreign Ministry .

As to the current international situation, He said it was stable in general, but conflicts still happened in certain areas, while imbalances in the global economy had intensified, and an energy and food crisis challenged the international community.

He said China believed the meeting would help mobilize political will on all sides and strengthen the global partnership to help developing countries achieve their MDGs at an early date.

"China hopes to show its advocacy of multi-polarization and the UN work, as well as to display its efforts to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and prosperity," He said.

Source: Xinhua