BEIJING, April 14: China on Thursday backed a bigger role for Germany in the United Nations, but opposed Japan becoming a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council as tension between the Asian giants rises.
Japan, Germany, Brazil and India have formed a lobbying group for permanent council seats, pledging to support one another’s candidacy for new slots.
“China supports Germany playing a bigger role in the United Nations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a news conference when asked to comment on Germany’s bid for a permanent council seat.
But on a similar bid by Japan, Qin said: “We hope the Japanese side will fulfil its promise to seriously re-examine its history of aggression.
“Only by respecting history can (Japan) win the trust of neighbouring countries and play a bigger role in international affairs,” Qin added.
Simmering tension between the two Asian giants over a range of topics, Japan’s failure to own up to wartime atrocities, erupted in China over the weekend with thousands taking parts in violent protests in cities nationwide.
Tens of millions of Chinese were killed or wounded during Japan’s occupation of China from 1931-45.
Last month, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appeared to back Japan for a permanent council seat as part of the most wide-ranging reforms to the world body since its creation in 1945.
China wants a bigger say for developing countries in the UN Security Council, which currently has five permanent members — the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.
“(When) reforming the UN Security Council, priority should be given to the issue of (increasing) the representation of developing countries,” Qin said.
Foreign Ministry officials from the five permanent council members discussed “hot issues” during a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, Qin said.
China was against setting a timetable or putting proposed reforms to a vote without democratic negotiations, he said.
China hoped reforms would strengthen the council’s ability to maintain international peace, boost the world body’s efficiency and maintain the authority of the council, Qin added.
About 95 per cent of Chinese who took part in an online poll last year opposed Japan’s bid for a permanent council seat.
Local media said 20 million Chinese had signed a recent online petition opposing the UN seat bid.—Reuters
